[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ST. JUDE'S COUNCIL OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS IN BLACKWOOD, NJ

 Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I would like to bring to your 
attention the good and charitable works of the Knights of Columbus St. 
Jude's Council Number 12092 in Blackwood, NJ.
  Founded in February of 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, the 
Knights of Columbus, the strong right arm of the Church, has grown to 
become the largest society of Catholic men in the world. More than 1.6 
million men in 12,000 chapters from the United States, Canada, Mexico, 
the Philippines, Cuba, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Spain, and 
the Virgin Islands belong to this lay organization in the Catholic 
Church.
  Knights of Columbus are Catholic men committed to patriotism, 
charity, and unity. And St. Jude's Council Number 12092 in Blackwood, 
NJ is no exception to this rule. Following the devastating events of 
September 11, St. Jude's Council immediately mobilized their members to 
assist the victims families. Whether it was holding a blood drive or a 
fund-raising concert, St. Jude's Council was there offering a helping 
hand to the many family members who lost loved ones.
  To affirm that our Nation stands united, the Knights distributed 
1,000 posters of the American flag to the citizens of Blackwood to 
display in a show of support for our Nation and our servicemen and 
women. The St. Jude's Council has also hung ten large American flags 
throughout the town, a moving tribute for all who drive through the 
town to see. At another community event planned to honor the victims of 
the World Trade Center, Karl Wirtz, a member of St. Jude's Council, 
lovingly created a replica of the New York City Firefighters raising 
the American flag at Ground Zero.
  But these acts of kindness and solidarity are nothing new to St. 
Jude's Council, as volunteer service and charitable contributions are 
the hallmarks of the Knights of Columbus. It was on these bedrock 
principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and St. Jude's 
Council remains true to these principles today. Always active in their 
community, the Knights have held a fund-raiser for a seriously ill boy, 
offer a CPR course for local citizens, and assist the police department 
in getting out an anti drug/alcohol message through the DARE Program. 
The Knights also provide religious education and activities for the 
young people in the community.
  What is all the more remarkable is that in these hectic times, all of 
these charitable acts have been performed in addition to the 
responsibilities of family and career.
  It is my pleasure to commend the Knights of Columbus St. Jude's 
Chapter for all of the good deeds they have done and continue to do for 
the State of New Jersey. Congratulations to St. Jude's Council Number 
12092 may you continue to be, In Service to One. In Service to 
All.

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