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 occa-
sion of its 175th anniversary, and commending its min-
istry 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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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 pro-
nounced 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, dedi-
cated to education, healthcare, ministry, and social jus-
tice, had established 140 convents throughout the United 
States and steadily continued to grow in membership in 
the years that followed; 
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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 com-
munities 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) honors and recognizes the Institute of the 
Sisters of Mercy on the occasion of its 175th anni-
versary; 
(2) commends the Sisters of Mercy for their 
selfless devotion to assisting communities in need 
through sponsorship of educational, social, and spir-
itual programs in the United States and throughout 
the world; 
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(3) commemorates the past and present Sisters 
of Mercy whose dedication and compassion have 
transcended borders and improved and inspired the 
lives of others in need; and 
(4) supports the continued service of the Sisters 
of Mercy in alleviating suffering, advocating for the 
needy, and ministering to communities in the United 
States and throughout the world. 
Æ 
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