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323154808
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Cardinals Dinner, Washington, DC 12/12/89 [OA 8130]
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323154808
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Cardinals Dinner, Washington, DC 12/12/89 [OA 8130]
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13888-047
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Curt Smith Chronological Files
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Smith, Curt, Files
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Chron File, 1989-1992
OA/ID Number:
13888
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13888-047
Folder Title:
Cardinals Dinner, Washington D.C., 12/12/89
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G
18
29
1
4
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
December 6, 1989
CATH
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: CARDINALS DINNER
PENSION BUILDING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1989
:00 P.M.
His Eminences, Reverend Clergy, Chairman Bagley, Mrs.
Connelly, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you, Reverend [ [WILLIAM]
Byron, for those kind words, and for inviting me to join you.
Two years ago, I had the honor of addressing the kickoff
dinner of the 100th anniversary of the Catholic University of
America.
( (Well, tonight I'm back again. Even though I know this
isn't what you have in mind when you preach about the Second
Coming. // Still, I am delighted to help conclude your
centennial celebration. And to salute those men who embody this
?
University: Six of the eight living American Cardinals. ))
( (You know, this is quite a gathering. More than 1,000 voices
cascading around the Pension Building. And for those of you in
the back of the room, I'll try to speak up. // Cardinal Hickey
warned me that the agnostics in this room are very bad.) ) //
( (And speaking of His Eminence, this is some head table.
Six archbishops -- each near the top of his field. Notice, I
said near, not at. After all, I'm reminded of the football
player's response when he was traded from Phoenix to New Orleans:
2
"Religiously speaking, it is an advancement from a Cardinal to a
Saint. ")) //
I want make
I want first, in the spirit of the evening, to admit to a
confession: The real reason I'm here is to see if anyone has a
couple of Orange Bowl tickets they're not using. //
And let me also confess that as I was looking toward
tonight, I got to thinking and wondering. Thinking about how
Pope John XXIII said, "Religion makes man special." // And
wondering: What is it about CUA -- and these six men of God --
which makes them, in their special way, so deserving of applause?
The first reason, I think, is belief in the Almighty. For
you accept the eternal teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. You
believe, as I do, that life does not begin at birth -- it begins
at conception. // You know that there is no State religion --
nor should there ever be -- but spiritual principles were rooted
in our Nation's origins --- and always must be. //
Next, service to others. This, too, has helped the Church
uphold Christ's special mission to mankind. Think of the many
Catholic laymen in public life --- men like Bill Bennett, Bill
Riley, and John Sununu. // Poor John. Like many Catholics, as
a boy he dreamed of one day becoming Pope. It was only after
having eight kids that he settled for Chief of Staff. //
Think of the Catholic charities who illumine "A Thousand
Points of Light." And of individuals --- heroes, really -- like
Helen Marino Connelly, this year's recipient of CUA's American
Cardinals Encouragement Award. Reflecting -- as Catholics do
3
from Villanova to the Vatican -- the belief that we were placed
on earth to do God's work. //
Then, there is a third special quality to the Catholic
community: Its devotion to higher learning. Two centuries ago,
America's Catholic Church hierarchy was born. And in 1887 it
founded a national Catholic University to each all branches of
science and literature. Since then -- from canon law to Islamic
and Judaic studies you have brought in, not shut out.
And
from the School of Nursing to the School of Music, sought as
Lincoln said -- to enrich the Nation's soul by binding up its
wounds. For a century education has been the great equalizer,
buoying the Catholic experience. Today -- more than ever, as
these Cardinals show -- it remains the great uplifter. //
Finally, thinking of tonight, I thought of Catholics'
alder
fidelity to freedom. For it is freedom which brought us to
monyland
B- supple Bale
America in 1789 and 1889 -- and which sustains us in 1989.
Catholics, for instance, want the freedom which allows
parents, not the government, to choose the best child care for
their children -- be it with a grandparent, a neighbor, or a
local church. So we have sent legislation to Congress to make
good on this pledge: I am determined to protect every church-
sponsored care center in America. //
Catholics, too, want the freedom which allows their children
to say voluntary school prayer. I share that belief. So I
support a Constitutional Amendment restoring voluntary prayer.
We need the Faith of our Fathers back in our schools.
?
4
Last week, I met with Chairman Gorbachev off the coast of
Malta. Where we talked of another freedom: The freedom to
dismantle barriers between Nations. And how principles based on
conscience can move mountains or -- as in East Berlin -- even
move a wall. //
I know that many of you still have relatives in Berlin and
Budapest, Warsaw and Wencelas Square
I know that you want them
The
to have the same freedoms with which God has blessed America. So
she right to thenk and dream and worship as we please
we must uphold the freedoms to live where you want, and think as
The right of free expression, Thee right to equal protection
you choose to worship in a church, or synagogue, or mosque.
under the law. The right to choose our linders and our distinues
Time and again, the Church has reaffirmed such freedoms. In
Eastern Europe, for example, where democracy is on the march. Or
struggles volionbly
the Phillipines, where a freedom-loving people oppose those who
against
wish tyranny. to enslaye.
In this season of peoce our conmetment to
Now, let us renew the principle of liberty in other parts of
world
terrorism and munder
the globe. In El Salvador, where we condemn abuses whatever
the ideology:
And we will do everything we can to bring to
justice those who murdered the six Jesuit Priests
// And in
Nicaragua, too, we cannot rest until liberty's victory is won. //
We want this to be the first hemisphere made up entirely of free,
democratic countries. So we have -- and will -- oppose exported
revolution. And have -- and will -- be resolute for freedom.
Yes, we speak different languages -- attend different places of
worship. But human dignity eclipses Nation. As does "Love thy
Neighbor." For the Golden Rule remains the most enobling Rule --
for our future, and the world.
5
Let me close, then, by returning to last week's Summit. For
I met there with a man who will help shape that world. Our
meeting revolved around the need for lasting peace. And as we
spoke, I thought of how God does move in mysterious ways. And of
's objective the
the meeting Chairman Sorbachev had day before with one of the
great men of this, or any, age. His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
Who could have imagined -- years, even weeks ago -- that
this longawarted could
their meeting would occur? Or that we would hear these words
from a Soviet leader? "Not only
should no one interfere in
matters of the individual's conscience, we also say that the
moral values that religion embodied for centuries can help in the
work of renewal of our country, too.' And then Chairman
Gorbachev added: "in fact, this [renewal] is already happening."
What a wonderful message for this Christmas season -- a
message of the renewal which springs from faith, hope,
children
generosity, freedom. What a wonderful legacy to leave our kids
-- the knowledge that God can live without man, but man cannot
live without God. //
Today, the times are on the side of peace. Because the
world, increasingly, in on the side of God. // For that, I
thank this college, and these Cardinals. As our Nation does. As
our children will. And let me leave by thanking you for this
evening. Happy birthday to Catholic University. Merry Christmas
to each one of you. God bless you. And God bless the United
States of America.
#
#
#
#
'89 12/11 1 16:28
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AF
The National Italian American Foundation
666 Eleventh Sheet. N.W., Suite 8(X) Washington, DC 20001-4596 (202) 638-0220
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
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FIRM:
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FAX//:
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FROM:
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DATE:
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SPECIAL MESSAGE:
Please call to confim receipt of this fax.
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The National Italian American Foundation
1019 Nineteenth Street N.W., Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202)XMXXMXX
638-0220
December 11
Chairman of the Board
TO: STEPHANIE BLESI
ano F. Paulucc
resident
rank D. Stelle
FR: BOB BLANCATO
legional Vice Presidents
dele Malone
RE: CARDINALS DINNER REMARKS
New England
it. Peter Sammartino
Upper Mid-Atlantic
THE ADDENDUM THAT I SPOKE ABOUT SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS:
ir. Hose Basile Green
Lower Mid-Atlantic
In paricular, I
ohn G. Spatuzza
Central States
lon. John Gale
am delighted to welcome their eminences and excellencies
Southeast
for this memorable occasion
aymond A. Polverini
from Egypt and Saudi Arabia who have travelled 80 far to honor the Cardinals
Southwest
smes A. Scatena
Northwest
and the University. I know the Catholic University of America, celebrating
scretary & General Counsel
thur J. Gajarsa
its centennial, 1s honored by the greetings of SHEIKH GAD AL HACK Dean of
ressurer
indo T. Noto
the 1200 year old A1 Azar University in Egypt.
amediate Past Presidents
lon. John A. Volpe
lagr. Geno C. Baroni
sard of Directors
auf Along!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS ADDENDUM.
on. Frank Annunzio
on. Marto Blaggi
ngelo J. Cetalo
on. Mario L. Clinco
ster Clinco
imes L. Coli
on. Silvio O. Conte
irgii Dardi
thur d. Declo
seph J. Digange
obert a Pletro
on. Pete V. Domenici
acy A. Falcone
dward Galletti
obert A. Georgine
hillp A. Guarino
ntonlo M. Marinelli
seph Masellt
on. Joseph G. Minish
Howard Molisani
on. Frank J. Montemuro, Jr.
arcello I. V. Nist
injamin L. Palumbo
Ichael J. Paulucel
seph Preite
one Maria Rando
on. Peter W. Rodino, Jr.
snald E. Santarelli
omenick G. Scaglione
ary L. Sfasclotti
lbert Simonetti, Jr.
aderick D. Tecce
iomes H. Trimarco
ck Valenti
ncent Visceglia
alla Zannoni
on. Leo Zeferetti
recutive Director
red M. Rotondare
rector of Government Relations
seph T. Ventura
1
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