David Thomas: “Mr. Speaker, as was indicated, this is a resolution to use the rotunda of the Capitol for the ceremony of awarding a…”

“Mr. Speaker, as was indicated, this is a resolution to use the rotunda of the Capitol for the ceremony of awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore Hesburgh. Dr. Hesburgh's history is truly an impressive one, especially when we look at the rapidity with which he moved to the presidency of one of the more distinguished private religious and secular universities in the United States, the University of Notre Dame. He received his ordination as a priest in 1943; studied here at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., receiving his doctorate in 1945; moved to Notre Dame to teach; and then at the age of 35, in 1952, became the 15th president of the University of Notre Dame and held that position until 1987, shaping in a significant way the current position of the University of Notre Dame. ... it is absolutely appropriate that we authorize the use of the rotunda to present the Congressional Gold Medal to a religious scholar, a scholar, an administrator, and someone who has made a significant impact not just on students, not just on faculty, not just on Catholics, not just on the United States, but upon the world.”