Honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 441) honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 441 for consideration. This legislation honors and commends Catholic sisters for their humble service and courageous sacrifice throughout United States history and additionally supports the goals of the ``Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America'' traveling exhibit.

The measure before us was introduced on May 14, 2009 by my colleague and friend, Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, and was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on September 10, 2009 by unanimous consent. Notably, this measure enjoys the support of over 60 Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 441 honors the altruistic Catholic sisters, whose passion for public service has helped shape our Nation's social and cultural landscape. Since arriving in the United States almost 300 years ago, Catholic sisters have established schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, and various other institutions to provide for those in need. These unsung heroes have served millions of Americans as nurses, as teachers, social workers, and they continue to do so today. The Catholic sisters have also helped to educate countless young Americans by establishing the Nation's largest private school system and founding over 110 colleges and universities.

Moreover, in 2005 roughly one in six hospital patients in the United States was treated in a Catholic facility. There are many, many accomplishments which I could cite in support of this resolution and of this traveling exhibit, but I think it's important to note just a few:

The first Catholic sisters in our country to live and work here in the service of our people were nine Ursuline Sisters who journeyed from France to New Orleans in 1727. At least nine sisters of the United States' orders have been martyred since 1980 while working for social justice and for human rights overseas. Dorothy Stang, sister of Notre Dame, was martyred in Brazil in 2005.

There were 32,000 Catholic sisters in the United States who taught 400,000 children at 2,000 parochial schools by the year 1880. There were 180,000 Catholic sisters who taught nearly 4.5 million children in 1965. Today, there are approximately 59,000 Catholic sisters still serving in the United States.

I owe much of my own education to the good sisters of Notre Dame, who taught me the fear of God, and I am forever in their debt. I ask all of our Members to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my friends on both sides of the aisle to take a moment to recognize the priceless contributions of the Catholic sisters in America and to thank them for their humble service and courageous sacrifices throughout United States history by agreeing to House Resolution 441.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 441, honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution.

Catholic sisters have been instrumental in bettering our communities and our society. Their efforts are felt time and time again in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. I am forever indebted to the charity and compassion of the Catholic sisters who made a big difference in my childhood and continue to amaze and inspire me today. Catholic sisters have made incredible contributions including, to name just a few, educating our nation's youth, instilling the importance of human rights and dedicating themselves to charitable efforts that help to meet the needs of the underserved. In addition, they serve as reminders of the important contributions of women in the United States and around the world.

My own success in life is due to the love, caring, tutelage and discipline of Catholic nuns who taught me at the many schools I attended in the Cleveland area, including at St. Peter's, Holy Name, Parmadale, St. Aloysius', St. Colman's and St. John Cantius. At each and every grade level, I learned the principles of Christian charity, practiced through the generosity and the humility of nuns who taught me. I would like to pay special tribute to Sister Mary Donna, Sister Leona, Sister Agnes Joseph, Sister Sabina, Sister Valerie, Sister Estelle, Sister Justicia, Sister Concepta, Sister Emmeline, Sister Genevieve, Sister Paulette, Sister Lucien, Sister Judith, Sister Luke and Sister Narcissa. Each and every one of these holy women had an impact on my life, for which I will always he grateful.

I also wish to pay tribute in particular to the benevolent work of Catholic Sisters are Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Forde, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and Maryknoll Lay Missioner Jean Donovan. Sister Dorothy and Jean Donovan were both from my hometown of Cleveland. In 1980 these women of faith were murdered by members of the armed forces of El Salvador while carrying out missionary work in the country. Three of the five officers involved were graduates of the School of the Americas. Their murders resonated with me personally as they did with many of my constituents. We understand that women on missions of social and economic justice take huge personal risks. These women must always be remembered and revered.

I rise in strong support of this bill and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 441.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 441, honoring the Catholic sisters in the United States, who have contributed greatly to the Catholic church and to the communities where they have lived and worked.

The first Catholic sisters to live in the United States came from France in 1727 and settled in New Orleans. From this small beginning, their presence and contributions to society grew over the years. Today, there are about 59,000 Catholic sisters in the United States. Although their numbers have decreased over the years, their influence is strong and vital.

Catholic sisters founded, staffed and managed the largest private school system in the United States. They founded more than 110 colleges and universities in the United States, thus providing educational opportunity for millions of young people. In addition to schools, the Catholic sisters established hospitals, orphanages and other charitable institutions that have served millions of Americans.

Catholic sisters have long been recognized for their fair and equal treatment of all persons. They have worked tirelessly for the eradication of racism and poverty in the United States and around the world.

In recognition of the women who have added substantially to the lives of many of our citizens, I stand to recognize the Catholic sisters for their untiring dedication and for their many contributions to the fabric of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 720, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 441; ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 721, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 2971; ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 722, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3548.