[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CATHOLIC SISTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 441, 
honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United 
States. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important 
resolution.
  Catholic sisters have been instrumental in bettering our communities 
and our society. Their efforts are felt time and time again in my 
hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. I am forever indebted to the charity and 
compassion of the Catholic sisters who made a big difference in my 
childhood and continue to amaze and inspire me today. Catholic sisters 
have made incredible contributions including, to name just a few, 
educating our nation's youth, instilling the importance of human rights 
and dedicating themselves to charitable efforts that help to meet the 
needs of the underserved. In addition, they serve as reminders of the 
important contributions of women in the United States and around the 
world.
  My own success in life is due to the love, caring, tutelage and 
discipline of Catholic nuns who taught me at the many schools I 
attended in the Cleveland area, including at St. Peter's, Holy Name, 
Parmadale, St. Aloysius', St. Colman's and St. John Cantius. At each 
and every grade level, I learned the principles of Christian charity, 
practiced through the generosity and the humility of nuns who taught 
me. I would like to pay special tribute to Sister Mary Donna, Sister 
Leona, Sister Agnes Joseph, Sister Sabina, Sister Valerie, Sister 
Estelle, Sister Justicia, Sister Concepta, Sister Emmeline, Sister 
Genevieve, Sister Paulette, Sister Lucien, Sister Judith, Sister Luke 
and Sister Narcissa. Each and every one of these holy women had an 
impact on my life, for which I will always he grateful.
  I also wish to pay tribute in particular to the benevolent work of 
Catholic Sisters are Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Forde, 
Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and Maryknoll Lay Missioner Jean 
Donovan. Sister Dorothy and Jean Donovan were both from my hometown of 
Cleveland. In 1980 these women of faith were murdered by members of the 
armed forces of El Salvador while carrying out missionary work in the 
country. Three of the five officers involved were graduates of the 
School of the Americas. Their murders resonated with me personally as 
they did with many of my constituents. We understand that women on 
missions of social and economic justice take huge personal risks. These 
women must always be remembered and revered.
  I rise in strong support of this bill and urge my colleagues to vote 
in favor of H. Res. 441.

                          ____________________