[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF SISTER DOROTHY STANG

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2005

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am an original co-sponsor of H. 
Con. Res. 89, legislation to honor a truly distinguished native of the 
city of Dayton, which I represent in Congress, Sister Dorothy Stang.
  Sister Stang was brutally murdered in Brazil on February 12. She was 
a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, and had moved to the Amazon region of 
Brazil 22 years ago to help impoverished families in the Amazon learn 
how to engage in sustainable farming, and help them in their struggle 
for land rights. It was while she was working for the poor that she was 
murdered. It was as Sister Stang was traveling to a meeting of 
impoverished farmers that two gunmen approached her. Sister Stang read 
from the Bible to the gunmen, who nevertheless shot her several times.
  Sister Stang's commitment to the poor, her quest for fair treatment 
of those who felt they did not have a voice, and her belief in the 
power of faith serve as an example from which we all can draw valuable 
lessons. It is fitting that the House of Representatives will vote 
today to draw the attention of the Congress and our Nation to the life 
of this selfless and inspirational woman.

                          ____________________