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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E620-E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF SISTER PAMELA MARIE BUGANSKI
______
HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate the
transformational life of Sister Pamela Marie Buganski. Hailing from
Toledo, Ohio's Old Orchard neighborhood, Sister Pamela began her
service to the Toledo community in 1975. For forty-five long years, she
dedicated her life in service to her religious community, embracing the
poor and needy in communities across Northern Ohio, Guatemala, Papua
New Guinea, Mexico, and Texas.
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to her parents, Dr. Raymond
and Ruth Buganski; her four sisters Cynthia, Lynn, Laura, and Joan; her
five brothers Mark, Joseph, Robert, David, and Michael; and her
numerous nieces and nephews.
Most recently I had the honor of meeting Sister Pamela again during
my visit to the U.S. Southern Border with the Congressional Hispanic
Caucus in January 2020. I was so impressed by her dedication to help
those struggling to survive in the face of dire circumstances. She
stood at the edge of freedom and hope for them. Many of those detained
had traveled thousands of miles to the U.S. border to seek refuge only
to find the passage blocked by the Trump Administration's immoral
``Remain in Mexico'' policy. What we saw were families fleeing violence
forced to live in squalor in the outskirts of our country by a broken
immigration system that has little regard for the human condition. She
bore witness to the anguish, misery, illness, and desperation. Sister
Pamela recognized that we are all truly God's children. She treated
everyone who crossed her path with the love and respect endowed to them
by our Creator.
Sister Pamela was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1956 and her family
eventually moved to Toledo, OH. There she attended St. Pius and Notre
Dame Academy and eventually entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1975,
professing her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in 1978.
She pursued graduate studies at the University of Dayton and the
University of Notre Dame. Recognizing the importance of investing in
our nation's youth, she dedicated twelve years of her life teaching at
junior high schools across Northwestern Ohio and then another ten years
teaching math and computer science at St. Mary High School and Notre
Dame Academy.
Sister Pamela's deep devotion to her faith and service took her on
three mission trips, one to Papua New Guinea and two to Guatemala.
After studying Spanish, Sister Pamela's drive to support social justice
initiatives and marginalized communities brought her to Texas.
Here, she helped devastated communities after Hurricane Harvey and
was accredited by CLINIC to advocate for those seeking refuge at the
U.S.'s Southern border. Her sister Cynthia described her best as
someone who ``was a genuine caregiver from the beginning . . . she
could bring calm to chaos''.
On behalf of so many grateful communities in Northern Ohio and across
our hemisphere,
[[Page E621]]
I express deepest gratitude for the precious life of Sister Pamela. Let
her life serve as an example to all during this especially challenging
time. May her spirit and prophetic legacy inspire a humane path forward
for all people who seek liberty.
____________________