[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF MONSIGNOR FRANK SAMMONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2007

  Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of Syracuse native Monsignor Frank Sammons, who passed away on July 7 
at the age of 87.
  Throughout his life Monsignor Sammons was dedicated not only to the 
priesthood and his faith, but also to the people and communities he 
served.
  A graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School, Sammons continued his 
education at Niagara University, St. Bernard's Seminary, and the 
Theological College of Washington, DC. He was ordained into the 
Catholic priesthood on May 15, 1947 and served as parochial vicar in 
his first assignment at St. John the Baptist Church in Syracuse, New 
York.
  In 1968, Monsignor Sammons became the pastor of St. Patrick's Church 
on Tipperary Hill where he served until his retirement in 1995. Even in 
retirement, Monsignor Sammons was active in the church and the 
community. He served at St. Matthew's Parish in East Syracuse and as 
Diocesan Minister to retired priests. Sammons also belonged to the 
Bishop Ludden Planning Committee and served as the Chaplain for Bishop 
Grimes' athletics.
  Monsignor Sammons was equally as passionate about sports and youth as 
he was about the priesthood. A former athlete himself, Sammons was 
inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. He founded the 
City-County Youth Board and served on the National Conference of 
Catholic Youth. Sammons also served as director of the Catholic Youth 
Organization, CYO, and he founded the organization's popular youth 
basketball league. In addition, Monsignor Sammons served as director of 
Lourdes Camp in Skaneateles, New York. He also took on the role of 
athletic director for all three Syracuse Catholic High Schools: 
Christian Brothers Academy, Bishop Grimes, and Bishop Ludden.
  Monsignor Sammons' commitment to the Catholic Church and the people--
especially the youth--that he served is unquestionable. Monsignor 
Sammons was a fixture in our community, and he will be sorely missed.

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