[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE VERY REV. PROTOPRESBYTER STEPHEN DUTKE ON THE 
                   60TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to the 
Very Rev. Protopresbyter Stephen Dutke in celebration of his 60th 
anniversary of the Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. I am pleased to 
congratulate Father Dutke for his 60 years of distinguished service.
  Father Dutke was born on January 3, 1917 in Nesquehoning, Pa, the son 
of Damian and Susan Dutke. He grew up in Elizabeth, NJ and graduated 
from Thomas Jefferson High School and Union Junior College in Cranford, 
NJ. He studied theology at the Diocesan Seminary of Christ the Saviour 
Seminary graduating in 1942. He married Mary Dzuback of Bayonne on May 
3, 1942 and was ordained as an Orthodox priest by Bishop Orestes on May 
10, 1942.
  Father Dutke organized St. Mary's Church in Buffalo, NY serving as 
its first pastor. He also served as pastor to St. Michael's Church in 
Freeland, PA from November of 1947 to August of 1961, where he oversaw 
the construction of the new rectory, the decorating of the church and 
the construction of the parish recreation center in 1959. He was 
assigned to St. Michael's Church in Binghamton, NY in August of 1961, 
where he served as pastor until July of 1991 and continues to serve as 
pastor emeritus.
  At St. Michael's, he spearheaded a $200,000 renovation project of the 
church for its 60th anniversary in 1964 as well as the creation of 
classrooms and a library for the Church School program at the 
recreation center. Throughout his pastorate, he distinguished himself 
by his selfless ministry to those who are ill and afflicted at home, 
local hospitals and nursing homes. He fostered 12 vocations to the Holy 
Priesthood including four men from Freeland and eight from Binghamton. 
For more than three decades, he served as director of the annual 
Diocesan Altar Boys Retreat, encouraging many boys to strengthen their 
faith and service to the church, both as laypeople and priests.
  Father Dutke served as Director of the Diocesan Priests' Pension 
Plan, a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Music Commission, as a member 
of the Diocesan Consistory and Board of Trustees for more than 30 
years. His All-Holiness Patriarch Dimitrious designated him as a Proto-
Priest in 1966 and as a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate 
in 1989. Since his retirement in 1991, he has continued to assist at 
St. Michael's, serving one of the Sunday Liturgies, managing the annual 
Pirohi Project and continuing his pastoral work through visiting the 
sick at hospitals and nursing homes.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to salute Father Dutke for his many years 
of distinguished service to our community. It is my pleasure to join 
Father Dutke's friends, family and congregation in extending my deepest 
appreciation for his outstanding service.

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