For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 10, 2001
Remarks by the President
At Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring John Cardinal O'Connor St. Patrick's Cathedral New York, New York
2:42 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you,
Mr. Speaker. Your Eminence; Governor Pataki and Mrs. Pataki;
Mayor Giuliani. I want to thank Chuck Schumer and Vito
Fossella for such beautiful words. Senator
Clinton. Distinguished members of the United States
Congress. Members of my Cabinet. Mary Ward.
Dorothy Hamilton and members of the O'Connor
family. Reverend Ogilvie and Father
Coughlin. Leaders of the Catholic Church. Maureen
O'Flynn, thank you for sharing your angelic voice with us
today. (Applause.) My fellow Americans.
Thank you for the welcome to your city and for
the seat of this archdiocese. I especially want to thank the
police and fire departments for the presentation of the colors, and
their service to this community. (Applause.)
John Cardinal O'Connor was fond of recalling
the greeting he received when visiting the Vatican. Pope
John Paul II would meet him with these words: "How is the
Archbishop of the capital of the world?" For me, on my first
visit as President, it's a pleasure, Mr. Mayor, to be in the capital of
the world. (Applause.)
This is a happier occasion than the day when
we said our good-byes at a solemn Mass in a mourning
city. It takes a lot to bring all of New York to a
pause. But that's what happened when the earthly remains of
John Cardinal O'Connor were laid to rest in this beautiful cathedral.
From the distance of a year, his character and
his contributions only seem larger. We remember a life of
good works, strong faith, and great influence.
For many here today, those memories are still
vivid and very personal. For parishioners, it may be the memory of an
imposing figure who stood here so many times, looking every inch a
cardinal -- fearing, it seemed, nothing, and having an opinion, it
seemed, on everything.
For thousands of veterans, it's the memory of
a chaplain who counseled them, heard their confessions, and attained
the rank of admiral. For the working men and women, it will
be the memory of an advocate, someone who rose to great prominence, but
remained the proud son of a union man who honored hard work.
The poor and immigrants of this city will
always remember their staunch friend who defended their interests and
understood their struggles. Many families remember the church leader
who came to AIDS patients with care and love.
Parents here and in Scranton will remember the
priest who gave so much time and special care to boys and girls with
disabilities. And the world will remember the gallant
defender of children and their vulnerability, innocence, and their
right to be born. (Applause.)
Many decades from now, these living memories
of the man will begin to pass. Fewer and fewer will have
known the sound of his voice, the largeness of his presence, the sting
of his rebuke, his marvelous sense of humor, or the breadth of his
compassion. But future generations will know at least this
about the 11th leader of the archdiocese: He was a man who
left a mark on his time. A moral leader not only in title,
but in truth. A defender of the faith, the very kind who have kept the
faith alive for two millennia. A great man in a high
place. And also for 80 years on this Earth, a good person, a
cheerful giver and a much loved soul.
Posterity will know this: The
Congress of the United States, in respect and gratitude, directed that
a gold medal be struck bearing Cardinal O'Connor's name and
image. And on this day, on behalf of the American people,
I'm honored to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the family and
to the successor of John Cardinal O'Connor.
God bless America. (Applause.)
END 3:50
P.M. EDT
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