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“A SPECIAL TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE VERY REVEREND J. EARL CAVANAUGH” mentioning the Federal Reserve System was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1337 on June 27, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE VERY REVEREND J. EARL CAVANAUGH
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HON. KAREN McCARTHY
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 27, 1995
Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and respect that I rise today to bring to your attention, and to the attention of my colleagues, the fine work and outstanding public service of the Very Reverend J. Earl Cavanaugh.
On Sunday, May 21, 1995, I was honored to join with the congregation of the Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral of Kansas City, MO, as well as the greater Kansas City community, to salute Reverend Cavanaugh on the occasion of his retirement after 19 years as dean of the Cathedral.
Reverend Cavanaugh was born in Philadelphia, PA, on May 22, 1930. After graduating from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, in 1953 with an A.B. degree in English literature, he attended Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ, receiving a master of divinity degree in 1956. Upon completing a year of special study at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 1958, diocese of Los Angeles, CA.
During the period 1958-1976, Reverend Cavanaugh served as vicar of St. Peter's Church in Rialto, CA 1958-1961; vicar of St. Bartholomew's Church in Poway, CA 1961-64; rector of St. Barnabas Church and chaplain to Episcopal students at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA 1964-68; and rector of the Church of the Holy Faith in Inglewood, CA 1968-76.
In March 1976, Reverend Cavanaugh became dean and rector of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, MO, the heart of the heartland and my hometown.
As he had in his previous ministries, Reverend Cavanaugh not only embraced his pastoral duties to his congregation but became an advocate and a leader in many areas of concern and challenge to the community at large, establishing the place of the Cathedral as a center of worship and service to both the greater Kansas City community and the diocese of West Missouri.
As dean of Grace and Holy Trinity, he extended participation in the worship ministry to both women and men at all levels; encouraged and facilitated the development of congregational diversity by age, socio-
economic and cultural background; advocated and implemented the ordination of women to the presbyterate; and strengthened the relationship of the Cathedral with other Christians and members of other faiths through joint worship, study and community service.
As Dean of Kansas City, Reverend Cavanaugh, working with the Grace and Holy Trinity congregation, provided vision and leadership in support of the community's efforts to address the growing human needs and suffering of the Kansas City population, in particular the residents of the downtown area and our more troubled neighborhoods. As part of Downtown Ministries, Reverend Cavanaugh and the Grace and Holy Trinity congregation worked hand-in-hand with the Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Grand Avenue Temple, United Methodist Church, and St. Mary's Episcopal Church to minister to area youth, the elderly, the hungry, and the needy. From the beginning, Reverend Cavanaugh became involved publicly and
pastorally in dealing with the very difficult issues of the AIDS epidemic, working to instill throughout our community a sense of true compassion and concern for those inflicted with this terrible disease. He dedicated his spirit and his energies to creating a climate of ecumenical cooperation and to fostering within our community a heightened awareness of the continuing need for social, racial, gender, and economic justice.
Among his many community activities, Reverend Cavanaugh has served with distinction as a member of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East; as a member of the Downtown Council Board of Directors; as chaplain of the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation; as a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Coalition; on the Kansas City Community Joint Committee on Homelessness; and on the mayor's task forces on AIDS and on hunger and poverty.
Within the Episcopal Church, at the national level, Reverend Cavanaugh has served on the executive council; was elected nine times as deputy to the general convention of the executive church; served as a member of the Committee on the State of the Church; and served as a member of the House of Deputies Committee on Evangelism at the General Conventions held in 1973 and 1979.
In 1954, Reverend Gingrich married Nancy Gingrich Cavanaugh of Philadelphia, PA. Mrs. Cavanaugh graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an A.B. degree in economics. She attended Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, CA where she received a master's degree in education. Prior to the family's relocation to Kansas City, Mrs. Cavanaugh worked for the Federal Reserve System, the California Department of Public Assistance, and the Rialto, Los Angeles, and Inglewood California School Districts. Since 1977, she has taught second grade at the now-Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City. While actively involved in her own career, Mrs. Cavanaugh has been an integral partner in the great works and the great successes of Reverend Cavanaugh. One of the greatest gifts Reverend Cavanaugh shared with Kansas City was Nancy Cavanaugh. She became a true citizen of our city embracing with her heart our cares and concerns, dedicating her personal time and energy to seeking solutions to our problems and to celebrating our gains.
Reverend and Mrs. Cavanaugh are the proud parents of Helen Mary, who I had the distinct pleasure of having as one of my students when I was on the faculty at the Sunset Hill School. Helen is an attorney and is married to Paul Stauts. Helen and Paul live in Northern California and have four wonderful children: Sydney, Alexander, Ethan, and Jacob. Helen's tribute to her father on Sunday, May 21, brought tears of joy to my eyes.
In 1976, when Reverend Cavanaugh came to the heartland of America--to Kansas City--he opened his heart to the congregation and to our community. During his 19 years as dean at Grace and Holy Trinity, Reverend Cavanaugh played an extraordinary and critical role in our community. He touched the lives of so many people. His contributions will long be remembered.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me, the congregation of the Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Reverend Cavanaugh's family, and the citizens of Kansas City, MO, in recognizing Reverend Cavanaugh's outstanding achievements and selfless contributions and in extending our congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of his retirement.
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