[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2879-2880]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING FATHER THEODORE HESBURGH

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam President, back in 1973 a young man caught a 
lucky break that changed his life. That young man was I, and it was my 
acceptance letter to the University of Notre Dame that opened up the 
gates of opportunity for me.
  Last night, the beloved president emeritus of Notre Dame, Father 
Theodore Hesburgh, passed away at the age of 97. On his last day, 
Father Ted said Mass in the morning and passed away 12 hours later. He 
counseled Presidents and Popes, but he was first and foremost a 
priest--one who ministered to the homeless, the poor, and those in 
need--and that is when he was also the happiest.
  We were so lucky to have him touch our lives, and those of us in 
Indiana were fortunate enough to experience him as our friend and 
neighbor. Nobody who ever walked the streets of South Bend could forget 
Father Ted driving around in his little Ford Mustang, giving a wave to 
everybody he saw.
  Our country and the world is a better place because of Father Ted. He 
loved his God, his country, and Notre Dame, and he ministered to anyone 
who asked him for help.
  Father Hesburgh grew up near Syracuse, NY, and was ordained and 
became a priest in 1943. He promptly asked that his first assignment as 
a priest be as the chaplain of a naval aircraft carrier. The leaders of 
the Holy Cross religious order were not surprised, as they knew of 
Father Ted's great patriotism, his love of the U.S. Navy, and his 
devotion to our servicemembers. However, they asked him to stay at 
Notre Dame and minister to the families and servicemembers who were 
training at the

[[Page 2880]]

time at Vetville at Notre Dame. As always, Father Ted smiled, took the 
assignment, and worked nonstop. That began a journey that included the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, 16 
Presidential appointments, and 150 honorary degrees. But more important 
to Father Ted than all of these awards were the millions of souls he 
nourished, said Mass with, prayed for, and guided to a wonderful life.
  When we look at Father Ted's amazing accomplishments at Notre Dame, 
we can't help but see what a stronger academic institution and better 
and more inclusive place it has become and that he left behind. Father 
Ted broke down the barriers and admitted women to Notre Dame back in 
the early 1970s, which changed the place forever and made Notre Dame a 
home for everyone. My wife and daughter, both of whom graduated from 
the university, were direct beneficiaries of his wisdom and his vision.
  Father Hesburgh stood up to Presidents whenever necessary, stood 
together with Martin Luther King for civil rights, and ministered to 
those in poverty and need every chance he could.
  Father Ted never gave a second thought about preaching truth to 
power; it helped to define who he was. We marked 50 years last July 
since he linked arms with Martin Luther King, Jr., in Soldier Field, 
Chicago, and sang ``We Shall Overcome'' when others turned down the 
invitation to be there. Father Ted believed in doing what was right, 
not what was easy. Next week I will travel to Selma for the 50th 
anniversary of the start of the marches there, and I will take Father 
Ted's example with me on that journey.
  He expected doing what is right and not what is easy or popular from 
his students as well. He had a big heart, and he wanted his students to 
do their best, but a lack of effort was never an acceptable way of 
doing business with Father Ted. As a student, I remember seeing his 
light on in his little dorm room with his iron cot at midnight or 2 
a.m. Every student there knew that meant Father Ted was open for 
business. Students would stop by and seek a comforting word if a parent 
had just passed away or when worried about ``How am I ever going to be 
able to pay the next tuition bill?'' or when they looked at their grade 
point average and said ``How am I ever going to be here for other 
reasons next semester?'' or if they had personal heartbreaks. Father 
Ted was there for all of us to talk with. He wanted every student to 
know they were loved and cared about and special, just like the cooks 
and gardeners and professors and the people of Notre Dame he went up 
to, shook hands with, smiled at, and gave encouragement to every day.
  God bless you, Father Ted. I would never be here in the Senate 
without your kindness and your example. And there are Domers--as Notre 
Dame students are known--all over the world who know you helped give 
them the chance to open doors, to be given opportunities, and to have a 
better life that never would have happened without you.
  There is a saying on the door of the Sacred Heart Basilica at the 
University. It says, ``God, Country, Notre Dame.'' Father Hesburgh 
lived that every day.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator withhold his request?
  Mr. DONNELLY. I will.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.

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