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.) |