Congressman Rahm Emanuel released the following statement as delivered on the House floor last Wednesday, Sept. 21, in recognition of Monsignor Velo of Chicago, who delivered the Morning Prayer on the floor of the U. S. House of Representatives.
"Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to recognize and welcome Monsignor Velo, one of Chicago's most distinguished religious leaders, as today's guest Chaplain.
"Born on Chicago's South Side, the Monsignor was ordained in 1973.
"In 1985, Monsignor Velo became the executive assistant to the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, a position he held for 14 years.
"Monsignor Velo and Cardinal Bernardin were close friends and it was Velo who cared for Bernardin's mother after the Cardinal passed away.
"Impressed by his reputation as a public servant, Pope John Paul II appointed Monsignor Velo to be President of the Catholic Church Extension Society.
"Today, he is Senior Executive of the Office of Catholic Collaboration at DePaul University - located in Chicago's magnificent Lincoln Park.
"Monsignor Velo is an important Chicagoan with an impressive resume.
"But more importantly, Monsignor Velo is a humanitarian who has dedicated his life to God and to improving the lives of everyone around him.
"Chicago is blessed by Monsignor Velo.
"Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his service, and for being here today." |
