[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 1028 
                        OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus 
Council 1028 of Belleville, Illinois.
  In 1905, 31 members of the Knights of Columbus Council in East St. 
Louis, who lived in or near Belleville, Illinois, desired to have their 
own Council. After several rounds of negotiations with Bishop Janssen, 
the first bishop of the Belleville Diocese, this committee was 
successful in obtaining his approval. The National Council issued the 
charter and the first meeting of Belleville Council 1028 was held on 
July 7, 1905.
  From this small but determined group of initial members, Council 1028 
would grow to a peak of approximately 700 knights at the time of their 
Golden Jubilee, in 1955. During this time of growth, the goals of the 
Knights of Columbus, Charity, Unity and Fraternity, would be the 
guiding principals of the Belleville Council.
  In 1906, one year after the Council was formed, and again in 1907, 
Council 1028 presented Bishop Janssen with checks of $1,000,--a 
substantial sum in those days!--for the support of 81st. John's 
Orphanage. For the remaining time that 81st. John's was in existence as 
an orphanage, that institution was a favorite charity of Council 1028. 
Other worthy recipients of support through the years have been 81st. 
Elizabeth's Hospital, the Newman Foundation at Illinois Universities, 
Parent Teachers of Exceptional Children, the Mamie O. Stookey School, 
the Autism Society of Illinois, the Murray Center, Special Olympics and 
numerous local organizations.
  The Belleville Council has always been a supporter of local youth 
activities. Boy Scout Troop 16, at St. John's Orphanage, was organized 
by the Council and supported for years. Catholic grade school field 
days were sponsored and numerous trophies were supplied for individual 
and team sports. The Council still sponsors local youth sport teams and 
continues to hold annual and recreational programs and many religious 
activities have helped promote camaraderie among the knights and their 
families.
  While the names are too numerous to mention of those who have been 
instrumental in the history of the Belleville Council, one name is now 
officially linked to the Council. The Belleville Council is now named 
Monsignor Leonard A. Bauer Council 1028 to honor the dedicated service 
of Monsignor Bauer as the Council Chaplain for many years.
  Council 1028 has seen many changes through the last 100 years but 
they have always stayed true to the Knights of Columbus goals of 
Charity, Unity and Fraternity.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 100th 
Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Council 1028 and wish them the 
best for continued service in the future.

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