[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S11492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO SISTER CYNTHIA ``CINDY'' MAHONEY

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I ask that the Senate observe 
the recent passing of Sister Cynthia ``Cindy'' Mahoney and recognize 
her tireless service to this country. A former emergency medical 
technician, Sister Mahoney volunteered at Ground Zero in New York City 
on September 11, 2001, blessing victims and providing medical and 
spiritual attention to survivors. In the days following, Sister Mahoney 
helped set up a respite program for first responders at St. Paul's 
Chapel across from the World Trade Center. She also became an official 
Red Cross volunteer chaplain serving as a grief counselor at the Pier 
91 Federal Emergency Management Agency center. In October 2001 Sister 
Mahoney joined the Red Cross Medical Examiner's Fatality Team as a 
chaplain working out of the morgue to bless human remains excavated 
from Ground Zero. She served on the Fatality Team well into 2002.
  In September 2002 Sister Mahoney moved to South Carolina to establish 
a spiritual practice but was unsuccessful. By this time, Sister Mahoney 
was experiencing symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic materials 
like asbestos. Sadly she soon became homeless, and her physical 
condition continued to deteriorate. Last summer she was diagnosed with 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD. Sister Mahoney died on 
November 1, 2006, from complications related to her pulmonary 
condition. I ask that the Senate join me in commemorating Sister 
Mahoney for her actions at Ground Zero on September 11 and in the 
months that followed that fateful day.

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