[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1326-E1327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MONSIGNOR JOSEPH MURPHY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. VITO FOSSELLA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. FOSSELLA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man who 
has faithfully served the people of Staten Island for many years, 
Monsignor Joseph Murphy.
  Ordained a priest in 1954, Monsignor Murphy then completed three 
years of graduate work at the Catholic University of America in 
Washington, DC. After his completion of studies, he served as a 
Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph's Parish in Croton Falls, New York from 
1957-1959. Following that, he was assigned to the Chancery Office of 
the Archdiocese of New York from 1959 to 1985, and was the Chancellor 
of the Archdiocese of New York from 1968 to 1985. Finally, in 1985 he

[[Page E1327]]

was assigned to be the pastor of the Church of Saint Clare on Staten 
Island, a position he has held to the present day.
  Monsignor Murphy has always been inspired to help and to serve. From 
a young age, he was struck by the compassion and caring of the clergy 
that he met, and he felt drawn to serve his community in the same way. 
Even after his upcoming retirement, he still plans on working, 
continuing to help and to serve his community. He has always felt it 
important to meet people where they are at, going into the community 
and serving, not waiting for others to come to him. Monsignor Murphy is 
of the opinion that true service to others demands an active role, not 
passively waiting around. It is in respect to his life-long desire to 
aid his fellow person that he be honored today.

                          ____________________