IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1097 

Honoring the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy on the occasion of its 175th 

anniversary, and commending its ministry and its efforts in helping 

individuals, especially women and children, overcome challenges that keep 

them from living full and dignified lives. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 6, 2006 

Ms. BORDALLO (for herself, Ms. HART, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, 

Ms. ESHOO, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mrs. 

CHRISTENSEN, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. RYAN

of Ohio, and Mr. MCCOTTER) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on International Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy on the occasion of its 175th anniversary, and commending its ministry and its efforts in helping individuals, especially 

women and children, overcome challenges that keep them 

from living full and dignified lives. 

Whereas December 12, 2006, marks the 175th anniversary of 

the founding of the Sisters of Mercy by Catherine 

McAuley of Dublin, Ireland; 

Whereas Catherine McAuley notably began her service in the 

virtue of mercy in 1824, when she used her inheritance 

to build a facility, known as the ‘‘House of Mercy’’, to 

provide educational, religious, and social services for 


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•HRES 1097 IH 

women and children who were poor, homeless, and in 

need; 

Whereas the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy was established 

on December 12, 1831, after Catherine McAuley pronounced her perpetual vows and became the first Sister 

of Mercy; 

Whereas the Sisters of Mercy is a congregation of Roman 

Catholic women dedicated to serving the vulnerable and 

the disadvantaged in communities throughout the world, 

whose members take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, 

and service to persons who are poor, sick, and otherwise 

unable to access and afford education; 

Whereas, in 1843, the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in the 

United States, and by 1854, the Sisters of Mercy had 

settled in the States of Pennsylvania and New York and 

in the city of San Francisco, California; 

Whereas the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy has continued 

its service to the public since its inception in the United 

States by establishing schools and hospitals throughout 

the United States; 

Whereas, during the Civil War, the Sisters of Mercy cared for 

injured and dying Union and Confederate soldiers, and as 

a result, the Sisters of Mercy received a commendation 

from President Abraham Lincoln, who also instructed 

Union generals to support the Sisters of Mercy; 

Whereas, by 1928, the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy, dedicated to education, healthcare, ministry, and social justice, had established 140 convents throughout the United 

States and steadily continued to grow in membership in 

the years that followed; 


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•HRES 1097 IH 

Whereas, currently, there are approximately 4,500 Sisters of 

Mercy and 2,800 Mercy associates serving in the United 

States, and over 10,000 Sisters of Mercy serving 

throughout the world; 

Whereas the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy sponsors 18 

colleges and universities, and serves over 26,000 students 

in the United States; 

Whereas, for nearly two centuries, the Institute of the Sisters 

of Mercy has continually and selflessly dedicated itself to 

the mission of assisting the most vulnerable members of 

society; 

Whereas the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy continues to aid 

victims of diseases and natural disasters, minister to the 

underserved, support the struggling, and feed the hungry; 

and 

Whereas the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy serves in communities in Ireland and Great Britain; North, Central, 

and South America; the Caribbean; and Australia, New 

Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, the Philippines, Chuuk, and 

Guam: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) honors and recognizes the Institute of the 

3 Sisters of Mercy on the occasion of its 175th anni4 versary; 

5 (2) commends the Sisters of Mercy for their 

6 selfless devotion to assisting communities in need 

7 through sponsorship of educational, social, and spir8 itual programs in the United States and throughout 

9 the world; 


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•HRES 1097 IH 

1 (3) commemorates the past and present Sisters 

2 of Mercy whose dedication and compassion have 

3 transcended borders and improved and inspired the 

4 lives of others in need; and 

5 (4) supports the continued service of the Sisters 

6 of Mercy in alleviating suffering, advocating for the 

7 needy, and ministering to communities in the United 

8 States and throughout the world. 

Æ 


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