[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 165 (Friday, November 14, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2296-E2297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND CLEMENT CARDILLO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 14, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the 
life of an outstanding individual who I am honored to call my friend, 
Father Clement Cardillo. On Sunday, November 9, 2003, Father Cardillo 
was recognized by St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church as the 2003 Man of 
the Year.
  In his own unique way, Father Clement Cardillo has dedicated his life 
to guiding the spiritual and intellectual lives of the men and women of 
Paterson, New Jersey. His devoted commitment to serving the needs of 
others has left an indelible mark on the lives of all who have had the 
pleasure of knowing and working with him. It is only fitting that he be 
honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected 
body on earth.
  Born in Portchester, New York, Clement Cardillo first studied with 
the Salesians of St. John Don Bosco at the seminary in Newton, New 
Jersey and made his Profession of Vows on September 8, 1944--the Feast 
of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon his graduation from Don 
Bosco College with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and a minor in 
Education, he began his first year of theological study before being 
sent to the theologate in Bollengo, Italy for the remainder of his 
studies. It was here, in Bollengo, that Clement was ordained into the 
Salesian Order on July 1, 1954.
  On returning to the United States, Father Cardillo began a long and 
distinguished career as an educator. Shortly after his ordination, 
Father Cardillo was assigned to the staff of the Salesian Minor 
Seminary in West Haverstraw, New York where he taught Geometry and 
French and headed up the music department. Subsequent years found him 
teaching at a Salesian Middle School in Goshen, New York, and later, at 
a minor seminary in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Most remarkable, however, 
is the fact that Father Cardillo was able to balance his teaching 
responsibilities with his studies, ultimately receiving his Masters of 
Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston College.
  In 1965, Father Cardillo accepted the pastorship of St. Anthony 
Church in Paterson, New Jersey--a post that he retained for 15 years. 
While at St. Anthony's, Father Cardillo was appointed by Bishop Casey 
as the Director of the Consultation Center (a psychological office 
dedicated to assisting priests and nuns who are leaving their vocation) 
and as the diocesan director of the Pre-Cana Program. In 1980, he was 
reassigned to his present position at St. Gerard's Church in Paterson 
where he currently serves the Diocese of Paterson as a psychologist on 
the Diocesan Review Board.
  Over the past twenty-five years, Father Cardillo has dedicated 
himself to tending the spiritual and emotional lives of each of his 
parishioners. As a New Jersey Licensed Psychologist and as an ordained 
priest, he has selflessly given of himself to improve the quality of 
life of all of the men and women in his care. It is no surprise, then, 
to learn that his work on behalf of the citizens of Paterson has been 
widely recognized. In 1982, Father Cardillo received Congressional 
Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives and on September 27, 
1998, he was awarded the Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia ET Pontifice 
(translation: on behalf of the church and Pope).
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the life and 
work of an individual as devoted to ministering to the faith as 
Reverend Cardillo. Today, a little more than twenty years after first 
being recognized by Congress, I ask that you join our colleagues, the 
men and women of St. Gerard's Roman Catholic

[[Page E2297]]

Church, and myself in recognizing Reverend Clement Cardillo for 
touching the hearts and souls of so many in his parish.

                          ____________________