[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7052]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MONSIGNOR JOSEPH C. ANSALDI

 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the 
extraordinary, selfless, and faithful commitment of Monsignor Joseph C. 
Ansaldi to the Catholic Church. On Saturday, June 2, 2012, Monsignor 
Ansaldi will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his ordination to the 
priesthood.
  Monsignor Ansaldi attended both a Catholic grammar school and a 
Catholic high school where he learned the value of such a wonderful 
religious education. He realized early on that he wished to devote his 
life to the Catholic Church and the community in which he grew up. 
Following his early education, Monsignor Ansaldi attended and graduated 
from St. Joseph Dunwoodie with bachelor's degrees in philosophy and 
theology and later received his master's degree in history from Fordham 
University.
  Ordained in 1962, his first assignment was chaplain at Mt. Loretto's 
Girls' Division. He then spent 6 years at Cardinal Hayes High School, 
where he taught history, German, and religion prior to his appointment 
there as dean of students. He then was appointed academic dean to St. 
Joseph by-the-Sea, and then in 1982, then archbishop of New York, 
Terrence Cardinal Cooke, appointed Monsignor Ansaldi as principal of 
St. Joseph by-the-Sea. Finally, in 1990, Pope John Paul II named 
Josepha C. Ansaldi a monsignor, and in 1991, Cardinal O'Connor 
appointed Monsignor Ansaldi Vicar of the Staten Island vicariate.
  Under Monsignor Ansaldi's tenure, enrollment at St. Joseph by-the-Sea 
rose by more than 25 percent to over 1,300 students. He also expanded 
the physical plant of the school to ensure that these students had the 
resources necessary to prosper. Many of his students became National 
Merit Scholar finalists and are forever grateful to the extraordinary 
leadership of their principal.
  Monsignor Ansaldi reminds us all about the tremendous role that 
educators play in the lives of students. Thousands of students have 
gone to college due to the efforts of Monsignor Ansaldi and many have 
been inspired to follow in the footsteps of Monsignor Ansaldi.
  The extraordinary vibrancy of New York is greatly enriched by its 
strong religious community. These communities owe much of their 
prosperity to the tireless efforts of religious leaders. Monsignor 
Ansaldi, who has served the people of New York for 50 years, is one 
shining example of the important role religious leaders can play in the 
lives of thousands of people. They have provided their communities 
infinite wisdom and counsel during times good and bad. Monsignor Joseph 
C. Ansaldi is a true leader who has selflessly and faithfully devoted 
his life to the betterment of the Catholic Church and to all mankind.
  Mr. President, it is my honor to acknowledge the achievement and 
contributions of Monsignor Joseph C. Ansaldi on this 50th anniversary 
of his ordination to the priesthood in the Catholic Church.

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