Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I rise in support of H.R. 1650, the bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Mother Teresa, a woman who is perhaps as close to sainthood as anyone this Congress is likely to meet. Mother Teresa of Calcutta has set a standard of selfless dedication to humanity and charitable works for nearly 70 years. She founded the order, the Missionaries of Charity, which now includes over 3,000 members in 25 countries who devote their lives to serving the poor with no material recompense for their sacrifice. Among many other humanitarian awards, Mother Teresa has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom 1985. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is most renowned for devoting her life to the sick and dying, the poorest of the poor. She lives with them and ministers to their physical and spiritual necessities, seeking to influence the rest of us by setting an example and defining charity. This example must cause us all to reevaluate our lives in the light of her wholly admirable life. Mr. Speaker, the standard for a Congressional Gold Medal is the recipient must be someone one who has performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement itself. Mother Teresa's career embodying the principle of charity clearly meets and exceeds this standard.”