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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF SISTER SUZANNE TOOLAN
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HON. JACKIE SPEIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 3, 2019
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Sister Suzanne Toolan, a
longtime force for education and social justice within my district. She
is being honored by her friends with the Catherine McAuley Award for
her dedication to the education of young women. I join in their joy and
celebration of her decades in service.
I first met Sister Suzanne while a student at Mercy Burlingame. She
taught chorale, a subject for which I was singularly unqualified.
However, as my fellow students noted, Sister Suzanne was a patient and
inspiring teacher. The Mercy choir is known throughout the San
Francisco Peninsula for its inspiring repertoire and joyful music,
particularly during Christmas and other holidays. Sister Suzanne was
the heart and soul of a generation of choral singers, providing
spiritual and contemporary pieces for the girls to perform.
Her role in chorale, and the impact that she had on students, was
only one measure of her long career. Sister Suzanne is the composer of
the hymn entitled, ``I Am the Bread of Life,'' a deeply moving piece
that inspires Catholic and other Christian congregations around the
globe. Sister put the words of Jesus to music in 1964 during her free
period between two classes. The San Francisco Archdiocese was to hold
an event and Sister wished to contribute.
As she later stated, she didn't initially like her work so when the
bell rang for her to go back to class she ripped up the song and tossed
it into the wastebasket. A student, who was nearby, came out of the
infirmary and said, ``What was that? It was beautiful!'' So, Sister
retrieved the song, scotch taped it together, and submitted it.
It may be irreverent to say so, but in January of 1964 the Beatles
song ``I Want To Hold Your Hand'' hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100
Chart. However, for many of us, that song couldn't hold a candle to
Sister Suzanne's ``I Am the Bread of Life.'' The church has its relics,
but in this instance the workpiece of the Beatles is the relic and that
of Sister Suzanne is a perpetually inspiring song, translated into at
least 20 languages, that reminds us of the everlasting. For her work,
Sister Suzanne was called an ``Icon of the Second Vatican Council'' and
received the Benedictus Award from the Liturgical Commission of the
Diocese of San Jose, presented by Bishop Patrick McGrath, in 2016.
As noted by her supporters and friends, Sister Suzanne is also the
author of a book entitled Canticles and Gathering Prayers, a composite
of services and canticles written for groups gathered in prayer. Her
work allowed Catholics to understand their faith in the vernacular,
making faith more accessible.
Sister Suzanne is immensely well educated. She holds a master's
degree in humanities and a second master's degree from San Francisco
State University. She did compositional work at Michigan State
University, liturgical study at the University of Notre Dame, and
choral work with Robert Shaw at San Diego State University. She
introduced Taize Prayer and worship to the West Coast in 1983. After
her stellar career at Mercy Burlingame, Sister Suzanne founded
Catherine's Center, a transitional house for women released from
prison. It is a ministry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San
Mateo County.
I recently viewed a photo of Sister Suzanne during her era as a Mercy
Burlingame teacher. She was swinging her baton and had a smile from ear
to ear. Music has the power to inspire us to great deeds. Sister
Suzanne conveyed that power in overwhelming force to impressionable
minds seeking the knowledge of math, science, literature, and
leadership. These are core subjects at Mercy Burlingame, and core
subjects of any young woman seeking to come into her own as a young
adult. Sister Suzanne never let them down. I know because I was one of
those young women who was captivated by Sister Suzanne's powerful
spirituality and joyful musical grace.
As we reflect upon her life, I cannot offer her a musical analogy to
illustrate her impact upon her students and the world. However, I can
offer an historical allusion that I believe is apt. When Churchill
spoke from the floor during times of grave crisis, Parliament was
roused to act and the course of western civilization was sharply and
famously revised. We know that the music of Sister Suzanne Toolan, both
famous and less so, inspires millions. She has never held high office
in civic life but instead chose to announce the glory of the highest
office that any of us may attain. Who can doubt that her
accomplishments will shape our civilization for hundreds of years to
come.
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