[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF H.E. FATHER MIGUEL D'ESCOTO BROCKMANN'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                      ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th 
anniversary of H.E. Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann's ordination to 
the priesthood. Father d'Escoto has dedicated his life and ministry to 
peace, social justice, and solidarity.
  Father d'Escoto was born in 1933 in Los Angeles, California, but 
spent a majority of his childhood in Nicaragua. After returning to the 
United States, he began studying at the Catholic seminary at Maryknoll 
in 1953. In 1961, Father d'Escoto Brockmann was ordained a priest of 
the Maryknoll Missionaries. Father d'Escoto earned his Master's of 
Science from Columbia University's School of Journalism in 1962.
  Father d'Escoto has focused his ministry on helping the poor and 
disadvantaged populations of the world. In 1963, Father d'Escoto 
founded the National Institute of Research and Population Action in 
Chile. Through this organization, he sought to empower impoverished 
populations living in slum neighborhoods through community action in 
defense of labor rights. In 1970, while serving as Maryknoll's Social 
Communications Department, Father d'Escoto founded Orbis Books, the 
publishing arm of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Orbis quickly became 
a leader in religious publishing, offering works on spirituality, 
theology, and current affairs, often from a Third World perspective. In 
the aftermath of a 1972 earthquake that devastated the capital city of 
Managua, Nicaragua, Father Brockmann mobilized assistance for the 
victims and established the Nicaraguan Foundation for Integral 
Community Development.
  As a veteran statesman and political leader, Father d'Escoto served 
as the Republic of Nicaragua's Minister for Foreign Affairs from July 
1979 until April 1990. During his tenure, he played a key role in the 
Contadora and Esquipulas peace processes to end internal armed 
conflicts in Central America in the 1980s. He was later elected as 
President of the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 
and served in this role from September 2008 to September 2009. Father 
d'Escoto is currently a member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory 
Committee.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the 50th 
anniversary of H.E. Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann's ordination to 
the priesthood and his significant contributions to the global 
community.

                          ____________________