Political Quotes

“I rise today to remember a truly great man-- John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York. Cardinal O'Connor's death is a tremendous loss not only for the people of New York, but for the country and for the world. I have always admired Cardinal O'Connor. I understand that he was from southwest Philadelphia. I was from the same neighborhood, right around the corner from the parish he grew up in, St. Clement Parish, which is at 71st Street and Woodland Avenue. I'm from 70th and Reedland Streets, and I went to Patterson Elementary School and Tilden Junior High, which I understand is where Cardinal O'Connor also went to school. Cardinal O'Connor lived a long and full life, and it was one which was marked by service to others. He was a voice for the voiceless and a champion of human rights, both here in this country and for all people everywhere. He delivered a homily on January 30 of this year which I think epitomizes the values for which he stood, and I'd like to quote a few closing remarks that he made that day: Perhaps the time has come for a new and deeper reflection on the nature of the economy and its purposes. What seems to be urgently needed is a reconsideration of the concept of prosperity itself, to prevent it from being enclosed in a narrow utilitarian perspective which leaves very little space for values such as solidarity and altruism . . . We are not simply looking for economic benefits. We are looking for human benefits.”