A resolution commemorating the canonization of Father Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. to sainthood.

Mr. President, I am proud to join Senator Inouye in submitting a resolution commemorating the canonization of Father Joseph Damien de Veuster. Father Damien was born in Tremeloo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840. He is best known for his tireless efforts to provide material and spiritual comforts for leprosy patients at Kalaupapa, Molokai, during the latter half of the 19th century. Beloved by the people of Hawaii and the country of his birth, his selfless service to mankind serves as a model for all of us.

Father Damien arrived in Hawaii in 1864 to join the Sacred Hearts Mission in Honolulu. After several years of serving isolated communities on the island of Hawaii, Father Damien became concerned that many of his parishioners that were afflicted by leprosy were forced to separate from their families and sent to Kalaupapa, Molokai and virtually imprisoned. In 1873, Father Damien's request to reside at Molokai and devote his life to serving the people of Kalaupapa was granted.

Father Damien's selfless devotion to the patients was evident when in 1876, he told a U.S. medical inspector, ``This is my work in the world. Sooner or later I shall become a leper, but may it not be until I have exhausted my capabilities for good.'' For 16 years, he labored to bring material and spiritual comfort to Kalaupapa's leprosy patients, building chapels, water cisterns, and boys and girls homes.

On April 15, 1889, Father Damien died of leprosy, at the age of 49. While his death was a devastating loss, the spiritual foundation that he established for the community of Kalaupapa would forever be remembered by the people of Hawaii.

Father Damien is a beloved figure in Hawaii's history, and so noteworthy are his deeds that he is one of the two people from Hawaii who are memorialized here in the Capitol, the other being King Kamehameha, the man who united the Hawaiian Islands. The statue of Father Damien stands proudly, as a reminder of his stewardship and love for Kalaupapa.

We must take every opportunity to educate our Nation on Father Damien's life and the history of Kalaupapa. Out of concern that Father Damien's legacy and Kalaupapa's rich history not be forgotten, the Kalaupapa National Historical Park was established in 1980, with a provision that former leprosy patients may remain as long as they wish.

The Holy See ruled in April 2008 that Father Joseph Damien de Veuster was responsible for two miracles and The Congregation of the Causes of Saints at the Vatican voted to recommend raising Father Damien to sainthood. In February 2009, the Vatican announced that Father Damien would be canonized on October 11, 2009 in ceremonies at the Vatican. It will be my great honor to attend those ceremonies as part of President Barack Obama's official delegation. Through this recognition, Father Damien and the 8,000 leprosy patients will forever be remembered as a legacy of human spirit and dignity.

Mr. President, today, I rise in support of this resolution commemorating the canonization of Father Damien de Veuster, SS.CC, to sainthood.

Joseph De Veuster, was born in Tremolo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840. At the age of 19, he entered the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary and took the religious name of Damien.

After his brother fell ill, Damien obtained permission from the Superior General to take his place for a mission in the Hawaiian Islands, although he was not yet an ordained priest. After a six-month boat ride, he arrived in Honolulu on March 19, 1864, and was ordained to the priesthood two months later.

During this time in Hawaii, an outbreak of Hansens' disease, also known as leprosy, occurred. Patients were sent away to the small island of Molokai to prevent the disease from spreading. Several priests took turns coming to Molokai to offer spiritual aid for three months at a time, but Damien chose to never leave, instead sacrificing his own life for those with Hansen's disease.

He worked tirelessly and continuously to turn this remote island into a colony of hope. He offered encouragement and spiritual guidance to those who were less able to help themselves. He built houses, chapels and hospitals and even built coffins and dug graves for those who lost the fight from Hansen's disease.

In 1884, Damien contracted Hansen's disease himself but continued working until months before dying on April 15, 1889. His remains were brought back to Belgium in 1936, and now rest in the crypt of the church of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts at Louvain, where he first entered religious life.

On April 15, 1969, as a gift from Hawaii, a statue of Father Damien and a statue of King Kamehameha I, were unveiled at the Capitol Rotunda.

He was declared Venerable by Pope Paul VI on July 9, 1977, the first of three steps that lead to sainthood. On June 4, 1995, Pope John Paul II declared him Blessed Damien, and his feast is on May 10, the day he entered Molokai.

In observance of Father Damien de Veuster, SS.CC., I urge my colleagues to support this resolution recognizing his canonization to sainthood by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Daniel Akaka be added as a cosponsor to this Resolution.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 304, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.