[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 679]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF BISHOP ANTHONY M. PILLA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
my good friend Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, as we celebrate his twenty-
fifth year as a spiritual teacher, leading nearly 800,000 Roman 
Catholic individuals within the Cleveland Catholic Diocese.
  Bishop Pilla grew up in Cleveland, the son of Italian immigrants. His 
parents instilled within him a strong sense of family, faith and 
service to others. His spiritual vocation began in 1959, when he was 
ordained to the priesthood. Bishop Pilla served as pastor for a short 
time before accepting a teaching position at Borromeo Seminary High 
School in Wickliffe, where he was named President in 1972. Seven years 
later, he was named Auxiliary Bishop and on January 6, 1981, he was 
appointed as Diocesan Bishop of Cleveland.
  Bishop Pilla's service and presence has been a focused instrument of 
faith and hope along the streets of Cleveland. Bishop Pilla's 
dedication to the well being of Cleveland's urban residents is 
evidenced within the historic churches throughout the city that remain 
open and viable sources of hope and faith for worshipers of all ages. 
Additionally, Bishop Pilla's outreach efforts and vision of cultural 
and interfaith unity has created unbreakable, vital partnerships among 
members and leaders of all faiths--partnerships that promote 
understanding and respect for differing views and bonds that celebrate 
our diversity.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of my dear friend, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, whose spiritual leadership, 
guidance and devotion to the people of Cleveland reflects throughout 
the Cleveland Catholic Dioceses. It has been such a pleasure to work 
with Bishop Pilla over the years and I am grateful for our years of 
friendship. Bishop Pilla has been a great strength of hope and courage 
for me through the years. His guidance, passion, leadership and 
unwavering commitment has illuminated hope and faith for countless 
families and individuals of every faith, throughout our Cleveland 
community, and far beyond.

                          ____________________