PUBLIC LAW 106-175—MAK. 5, 2000 114 STAT. 21 Public Law 106-175 106th Congress An Act To authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, in recognition of his accom- Mar. 5, 2000 plishments as a priest, a chaplain, and a humanitarian. [H R 35571 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 31 USC 5111 SECTION 1. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor is a man of deep compassion, great intellect, and tireless devotion to both spiritual guidance and humanitarianism. (2) John Joseph O'Connor was born on January 15, 1920, in southwest Philadelphia, the son of Thomas J. O'Connor and Mary Gomple O'Connor. (3) John Cardinal O'Connor joined the Navy Chaplains Corps in June 1952 during the Korean Conflict, served with elements of both the Navy and the Marine Corps, and saw combat action in Vietnam. He later ser/ed as chaplain of the United States Naval Academy and wa.s appointed as Chief of Chaplains of the Navy with the girade of rear admiral, from which position he retired four years later, in May 1979. He was ordained a Bishop by Pope John Paul H on May 27, 1979. He then served as Vicar General of the Military Ordinariate (now the Archdiocese for the Military Services) until 1984. (4) John Cardinal O'Connor became Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1983, was named Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York on January 31, 1984, and was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on May 25, 1985. (5) John Cardinal O'Connor has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public and parochiali school education. He has supported and strengthened Catholic schools in their mission to provide a quality education to students of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and religions in the Archdiocese of New York and throughout the Nation. (6) John Cardinal O'Connor has provided comfort and care to the sick, the elderly, and the disabled and provided millions of people with spiritual and emotional support. He lead the effort to open New York State's first iMDS-only unit at St. Claire's Hospital, remaining a frequent visitor and volunteer at the hospital. note.
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