[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8243-H8245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 345) commemorating the 200th 
anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 345

       Whereas it is a tradition of the House of Representatives 
     to honor and pay tribute to those places and institutions 
     within the United States whose historic significance has 
     contributed to the culture and traditions of our citizens;
       Whereas, in accordance with this tradition, the House of 
     Representatives is proud to commemorate the 200th anniversary 
     of the Archdiocese of New York and its history of faith and 
     service;
       Whereas the Archdiocese of New York has planned a year-long 
     series of events beginning in April 2007 to celebrate their 
     bicentennial;
       Whereas the Archdiocese of New York is also coordinating 
     with Catholic Charities of New York to institute an 
     Archdiocese of New York Day of Service, to celebrate its 
     history of serving the broader community;
       Whereas, on April 8, 1808, Diocese of New York was 
     established with the Most Reverend R. Luke Concanen as its 
     first Bishop, and was elevated to an Archdiocese in 1850;
       Whereas, on March 15, 1875, His Eminence John Cardinal 
     McCloskey, the second Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New 
     York, became the first Cardinal Archbishop of the Roman 
     Catholic Church in America;
       Whereas the Archdiocese of New York has welcomed three 
     Papal visits, Pope Paul VI on October 5, 1965 and Pope John 
     Paul II on October 7, 1979 and again on October 5, 1995;
       Whereas Elizabeth Ann Seton, a member of the Archdiocese of 
     New York and founder of today's Catholic education parochial 
     school system, was named the first American-born Saint on 
     September 14, 1975; her name appears on the front doors to 
     St. Patrick's Cathedral describing her as a ``Daughter of New 
     York''; and several schools are named after her, including 
     Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey;
       Whereas the Archdiocese of New York is currently under the 
     spiritual guidance of His Eminence Edward M. Cardinal Egan, 
     who was installed on June 19, 2000, and elevated to Cardinal 
     on February 21, 2001;
       Whereas the Archdiocese of New York was originally 
     comprised of the entire states of New York and New Jersey, an 
     area that now covers twelve dioceses;
       Whereas, with 2,500,000 Catholics in its fold, the 
     Archdiocese of New York consists of 402 parishes, 278 
     elementary and high schools, and 3,729 charitable ministries, 
     which include Catholic Charities, hospitals, nursing homes, 
     and outreach programs; and
       Whereas, throughout its rich historical past and up to the 
     present day, the Archdiocese of New York has been sustained 
     by the beneficent efforts of countless parishioners and 
     ministries, past and present, who have generously supported 
     their community with abundant kindness and good deeds: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives commemorates 
     the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration 
of H. Res. 345, a resolution that commemorates the 200th anniversary of 
the Archdiocese. H. Res. 345, which has 61 cosponsors, was introduced 
by Representative Vito Fossella on April 30, 2007. H. Res. 345 was 
reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform July 19, 
2007, by a voice vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Mr. Fossella for seeking to 
commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York, and 
urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today we honor the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese 
of New York, an institution that has contributed to the good of the 
region it covers as well and the Nation in a way that people of all 
political and religious backgrounds can join in applauding.
  Founded on April 8, 1808, the Diocese of New York has grown to over 
2.5 million Catholics who are led by nearly 1,500 priests. The Diocese 
of New York was established with the Most Reverend R. Luke Concanen as 
its first bishop, and was elevated to an Archdiocese in 1850. Upon its 
origination, the diocese included the entire State of New York and New 
Jersey, an area that now covers 12 dioceses. In this vast organization, 
the Archdiocese of New York includes 402 parishes, 278 schools, and 
3,729 charitable ministries including Catholic Charities, nursing 
homes, and outreach programs.
  The Archdiocese of New York has been the site of three papal visits 
and is home to the first Cardinal Archbishop of the Roman Catholic 
Church of America, John Cardinal McCloskey. The first American-born 
saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, was a member of the archdiocese and founder 
of today's Catholic education parochial school system.
  In commemoration of their bicentennial, the Archdiocese of New York 
has planned a year-long celebration of activities to bring together the 
entire community, including an Archdiocese of New York Day of Service.
  It is with great respect for the ongoing service to their 
parishioners and the greater community of New York that I ask you to 
join in commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New 
York.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  I want to thank my friend from Connecticut for managing the time on 
the minority side for this important resolution. In particular, I want 
to thank my good friend from New York State, Vito Fossella, for 
introducing this important resolution commemorating and celebrating the 
200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York, a history that is 
replete with so many tales, not tales but facts, about the contribution 
of Catholics in New York, in particular about the institution known as 
the Archdiocese of New York, having at one time encompassed the entire 
State of New York and New Jersey, and now having a smaller imprint, but 
no less significant an imprint today.
  We think of the storied individuals who fervently shepherded their 
flock in the Archdiocese of New York, starting with R. Luke Concanen in 
1808-1810; to present day, Edward Michael Cardinal Egan, who took the 
reins of control in 2000 and continues to this day.
  We look back historically, particularly during the Civil War, the 
Archdiocese had a very long history going back to that point in time, 
and during

[[Page H8244]]

the war Archbishop John Hughes, who was a fervent defender of the Union 
and a personal friend of then-President Abraham Lincoln, he wrote to 
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward about the most effectual means 
for carrying on that war. At the Union's request, he visited Europe to 
exert his personal influence, especially in high circles in France, for 
the benefit of the national cause at that time.
  Another national cause the Archdiocese was strongly involved in was 
with the first wave of immigrants, predominantly Irish immigrants, to 
New York. The archdiocese developed programs to care for and assimilate 
those new immigrants to America, and was a precursor to the Irish 
Emigrant Savings Bank, later to become known as the Emigrant Industrial 
Savings Bank and Emigrant Savings Bank today.
  These organizations over the years have developed into a strong base 
of charitable giving to keep the traditions of protecting the poor and 
the neglected, something that the Archdiocese of New York continues to 
do today. In fact, the Cardinal and the archdiocese have been very 
outspoken proponents of comprehensive immigration reform to help those 
least amongst us in society today, something they continue to do in the 
strong 200-year tradition of the Archdiocese of New York.
  It was also mentioned before that Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first 
saint born in the United States, also a New Yorker and the founder of 
the New York City Catholic school system, and the contributions that 
system has made to our country. Speaking as a product of there, having 
graduated from Power Memorial High School in 1980, which is no longer 
with us, but there are still many high schools that bear the names of 
the many cardinals and leaders of the archdiocese throughout the years, 
and others who have made significant impacts on the Archdiocese of New 
York, a tremendous system that to this day continues to produce some of 
the brightest minds in not only the city of New York, but in the 
country, and also continues to provide access to the least amongst us 
to give them opportunities that others had before them.
  So I stand here on the floor congratulating Mr. Fossella for 
introducing this resolution and to commemorate the 200th anniversary of 
the founding of the Archdiocese of New York, a diocese that will go on 
for many, many years to come. We congratulate Cardinal Egan, Cardinal 
O'Connor, Cardinal Cooke, and all those who came before them, and all 
the men women who have contributed in so many ways to its survival and 
its flourishing throughout the history of New York City and our 
country.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Staten Island, 
who has been a real advocate for all of New York, Vito Fossella, for 
such time as he may consume.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
rise in support of H. Resolution 345 honoring the 200th anniversary of 
the Archdiocese of New York. I thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member 
Davis for helping pass this resolution. And I thank the gentleman from 
Queens, Mr. Crowley, for helping spearhead this through, as well as 
Mrs. Maloney from Manhattan, who were instrumental getting this passed 
last week out of committee.
  Let me briefly say at the outset, it was somewhat of a bumpy road to 
arrive at today's vote. We are nevertheless here to honor the 
Archdiocese of New York. When we introduced the resolution in May and 
set about to secure the 50 cosponsors, we got it pretty quickly. It was 
heartening to see the outpouring of support. Initially the committee 
balked because of the reference to Cardinal Egan. And on a personal 
level, I thought it was insulting to the cardinal and professionally, 
by extension, I thought it was insulting to the millions of Catholics 
who comprise the archdiocese.
  Cardinal Egan is the head of the archdiocese and is a significant 
spiritual leader of Catholicism in the United States and a man of great 
integrity and honor. Like those who have come before him, Cardinal Egan 
has carried forward the mission of his Catholic Church and helped to 
provide spiritual guidance to millions. I am proud to say the committee 
realized and recognized the appropriateness of recognizing the role of 
the archdiocese, and today the Congress has an opportunity to pass this 
resolution honoring the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of New York 
in particular.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. Shays provided some very compelling statistics about the 
archdiocese so I won't repeat them.
  We know that the resolution pays tribute to the dedication and 
character and compassion and values that embody the archdiocese; and, 
by extension, I think it honors the service and deeds of so many 
Catholics who have enriched this Nation.
  And you really can't tell the American story without telling the 
story of Catholics who have come to this country and enriched and made 
this country better and stronger. Lord knows, over the last couple of 
hundred years, there have been some great, not just contributions, but 
some great controversies.
  In the 1800s there was a political party that was formed in large 
part, called the Know Nothings, rooted in anti-Catholicism. 
Fortunately, they have gone away, and the archdiocese of New York, like 
so many across the country, have remained steadfast and have been 
institutions that uphold the dignity of life.
  Mr. Crowley mentioned Elizabeth Seton, and Seton Hall University is 
named in her honor in part. The Seton Foundation for Learning, for 
example, on Staten Island is a school that is principally designed to 
help children with developmental disabilities and all disabilities and 
are a strong reminder of the value and wonder of all human life.
  The archdiocese includes over 3,700 charitable organizations, 
touching practically every neighborhood across New York City's region, 
and we know that Catholic Charities alone provides 5 million free meals 
annually to the less fortunate.
  As I mentioned, you can't tell this American story without telling 
the Catholic story. There is probably no more rich archdiocese in this 
country than the one in New York, and you can't tell the New York story 
without knowing the archdiocese of New York.
  So many people who have served in private life have also served their 
church through faith and in the local neighborhoods I mentioned, and so 
many police officers and firefighters and civil servants, who not only 
serve this country with honor and distinction but also serve through 
their faith the archdiocese. And we saw that very clearly on 9/11 when 
firefighter after firefighter and their families were laid to rest in 
the Catholic Church.
  Those are some of the stories by which we can tell a compelling tale 
for America; but, today, the Congress, I say thank you to Mr. Davis and 
Mr. Shays and all who essentially set a little time aside to honor a 
great institution and celebrate 200 years of serving the poor, the less 
fortunate with dedication, compassion, and pure social outreach.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I reserve, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
I'd like to just make further comments.
  This resolution has a special meaning to me, as the archdiocese of 
New York is currently under the spiritual guidance of His Eminence 
Edward M. Cardinal Egan, who was elevated to cardinal on February 21, 
2001.
  In 1988, Cardinal Egan was appointed bishop of Bridgeport by Pope 
John Paul II. During his tenure in Bridgeport, I had the pleasure of 
working with him on a variety of issues, including developing housing 
for senior citizens.
  Cardinal Egan guided the diocese of Bridgeport and earned a 
reputation of demonstrated leadership and success in meeting both the 
physical and spiritual needs of the church's parishioners, and I want 
to say that he reached out to so many people, Catholic and non-
Catholics alike, when there were specific needs that they had. He is 
such a respected individual in the district I represent, and we were so 
proud of his elevation to cardinal in New York and believe that he is 
doing a tremendous job.
  I will conclude by saying I was in his office after his appointment 
but he had not yet become a cardinal. He just kind of shook his head 
and said, I wish I was 10 years younger.

[[Page H8245]]

  So many demands are made on a leader like Bishop Egan, and he gives 
every day of his life to this service. So when I vote for this 
resolution I'm going to be voting for the 200-year anniversary of the 
diocese and for a really remarkable leader that they have in Bishop 
Egan.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for 
time, and I was just thinking that I spent last evening with about 800 
black Catholics at the Knights of Peter Claver at their convention in 
Detroit. Of course, many of them were indeed from the east coast, from 
New York and New Jersey and Connecticut, and we just simply had a 
wonderful time. So I join in support of this resolution and urge its 
passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 345.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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