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THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                           (St. Paul, Minnesota)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                        May 3, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Hillary and I were saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal O'Connor. For more than fifty years, he reached out with uncommon fortitude to minister the needs of American Catholics. From his first Philadelphia parish to soldiers on the battlefield, from the carnage of Bosnia to the tragedy of AIDS, he also sought out and served those most in need. His lifelong journey of faith was our nation's blessing. From his distinguished career as a Navy chaplain, to his determination to give voice to the poor and marginalized in New York and across America, the courage and firm faith he showed in his final illness inspired us all.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all who loved him.

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