PRINTER'S NO. 2118
No. 226 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY KELLER, L. I. COHEN, McGEEHAN, LEDERER AND ADOLPH,
JUNE 17, 1999
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 17, 1999
A RESOLUTION
1 Congratulating Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua on the occasion of
2 the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
3 WHEREAS, Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua was born in Brooklyn, New
4 York, on June 17, 1923. He was one of 11 children born to Luigi
5 and Maria Bevilacqua. Following his 1943 graduation from
6 Cathedral College, he attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in
7 Huntington, New York. There he completed the six years of
8 philosophy and theology requirements and was ordained on June
9 11, 1949, at St. James Cathedral, Brooklyn; and
10 WHEREAS, On November 24, 1980, he was ordained a Bishop. He
11 served as Auxiliary Bishop and Chancellor of Brooklyn. Pope John
12 Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in
13 1983; and
14 WHEREAS, On December 8, 1987, it was announced that Pope John
15 Paul II had appointed Bishop Bevilacqua as Archbishop of
16 Philadelphia. His installation took place on February 11, 1988.
17 Three years later, on May 29, 1991, Pope John Paul II announced
1 that Archbishop Bevilacqua's elevation to the College of
2 Cardinals would take place in a consistory on June 28, 1991; and
3 WHEREAS, Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua firmly believes that
4 "being constantly kind is important," that "the day-to-day
5 encounters are where the real history is written," that "one
6 tiny, little act can change a whole life," and is one to whom
7 young children are drawn by his natural kindness, and who
8 predicts "a resurgence of thoughtfulness and charity to others
9 in the new millennium"; and
10 WHEREAS, Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua has made spiritual
11 renewal a priority and has undertaken an active ministry,
12 regularly visiting parishes and schools, hospitals and prisons,
13 churches and synagogues and reached out to many, many more
14 people of all beliefs through his live call-in radio show every
15 week and through his many pastoral activities; therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives thank Cardinal
17 Anthony J. Bevilacqua for his outstanding service to the people
18 of the city of Philadelphia, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and
19 the people of this Commonwealth honor, commend and congratulate
20 Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua on the occasion of the 50th
21 anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
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