[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SISTER M. CLAUDIA BURKE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join 
me in honoring Sister M. Claudia Burke as she retires to the Franciscan 
Sisters of the Poor Motherhouse in Cincinnati. She has been a 
cornerstone of social services in my hometown of Flint, Michigan since 
1960.
  Sister M. Claudia Burke entered the convent on January 6, 1944. She 
attended Our Lady of Cincinnati College, graduating in 1953, and worked 
at Catholic Charities of Cincinnati. She was transferred to Catholic 
Social Services in Steubenville, Ohio and continued there providing 
family and child welfare counseling. In 1958 she was responsible for 
the foster care, and supervision of 10 Hungarian refugee teen-age boys.
  In 1960 Sister Claudia was transferred to Flint, Michigan to work at 
Catholic Social Services. Since that time she has left Flint twice, 
once to obtain her Master's in Social Work degree from St. Louis 
University and a 1 year assignment in Cincinnati. She returned to Flint 
and continued her service to the people of Genesee County.
  Through her work at Holy Angels Convent and Catholic Social Services, 
Sister Claudia recognized the need to help families facing difficult 
economic circumstances. Known for her tenacity, Sister Claudia provided 
the unique leadership to organize Catholic Outreach to respond to the 
need in the community. Countless individuals have directly benefited 
from her hard work and devotion to the poor. Supported through a 
variety of channels, Catholic Outreach assists about 12,000 people a 
year and the number is growing. Though her responsibilities as an 
administrator and fundraiser consumed most of her time in recent years, 
Sister Claudia preferred to spend her time working directly with 
clients. She has said, ``You can't look at the face of poverty and not 
feel for people.'' In addition to founding Catholic Outreach, Sister 
Claudia was also instrumental in creating the North End Soup Kitchen 
and the Displaced Workers Center.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Sister M. Claudia Burke. 
The Flint area is losing one of its truly great humanitarians. Sister 
Claudia has spent her life acknowledging the needs of others and 
responding with selfless, caring love. Recognizing the divine in all 
humans she lives the teaching contained in Matthew 25:40, ``Whatsoever 
you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.'' Through the 
years Sister Claudia has been an inspiring, thought provoking, tireless 
laborer in the vineyard of Our Lord Jesus Christ. She has put her love 
into action and set an example for the lives of those following in her 
footsteps. I know I am a better person for having known her and will 
miss her wisdom, and compassion. I pray she will find a much deserved 
relaxation and peace in this next phase of her life.

                          ____________________