[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17665-17666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS TO SISTER CATHERINE MORAN

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on this historic occasion it is with great 
pride that I welcome the guest chaplain to the United States House of 
Representatives, the first Roman Catholic nun, and the first 
nonordained woman to offer the opening prayer, Sister Catherine Moran. 
Sister Catherine Moran is well known and widely admired in my hometown 
of Newark, New Jersey, where she lives and has made a great difference 
in our community with her

[[Page 17666]]

over-15 years of service to the New Community Corporation and earlier 
as an assistant superintendent for secondary schools in the Newark 
Archdiocese.
  A dynamic and forward-thinking leader with a passion for social 
justice, Sister Catherine works diligently to improve the quality of 
life in our community for all people. The New Community Corporation, 
which was founded by my good friend, Monsignor William Linder, has a 
tremendous record of success in restoring vibrancy to the city of 
Newark through a number of innovative economic development projects and 
community-based programs. I am pleased to have the opportunity to offer 
our heart-felt thanks to Sister Catherine for bringing such energy, 
creativity, and resourcefulness to our community.
  Mr. Speaker, as a graduate of Seton Hall University in South Orange, 
New Jersey, I think it should be noted that Sister Catherine Moran is 
carrying on a legacy of another strong woman of faith whom my alma 
mater is named after, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first saint who 
was born in the United States of America. I know my colleagues here in 
the United States House of Representatives join me in honoring Sister 
Catherine and congratulating her on this very special day.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair and the House joins the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) in welcoming Sister Catherine to this 
historic event today. Sister, thank you.

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