[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN LOVING MEMORY OF MOTHER TERESA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the memory of a 
remarkable woman who dedicated her 87 years of life to reaching out to 
poor, suffering and dying people all over the world, Mother Teresa.
  Mother Teresa was born in Albania on August 26, 1910. She chose to 
become a Roman Catholic sister at age 18 and was assigned to a convent 
in Calcutta where she taught history and geography at St. Mary's 
School. Discontent to simply teach, Sister Teresa dedicated her life to 
creating a new religious order to serve the sick, disabled and dying no 
matter where they lived.
  In 1948, Mother Teresa received approval from the Pope to create a 
religious order known as the Missionaries of Charity. She sought out 
nuns who were educated as nurses and asked them to train her. She 
returned to Calcutta where she opened a hospice. In her later years, 
Mother Teresa devoted her time and energy to establishing hospice 
programs for suffering from AIDS.
  In 1979, Sister Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1985, 
the Presidential Medal. She was also given the Lifetime Achievement 
Award from the Foundation for Hospice and Homecare. However, it was 
clear that what she most cherished was the satisfaction of delivering 
care and comfort to millions of needy people.
  Guided by her 40 years of leadership, the Missionaries of Charity 
grew from one to more than 400 missions worldwide. Today, there are 
approximately 5,000 sisters in the order.
  Mother Teresa was universally loved and will always be remembered. 
This was evidenced by the fact that both chambers of Congress passed 
commemorative resolutions within just days of her death in 1997. They 
also posthumously awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest 
honor bestowed on a civilian.
  The world will again remember her legacy of compassion when Pope John 
Paul II celebrates a three hour Mass next month for the her 
beatification.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout her life, Mother Teresa knew no limits when 
caring for others as she gave unconditional love to all. On this day, 
let us once again remember her lasting contributions and goodwill for 
all mankind.

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