[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 13700] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING MONSIGNOR JOSEPH MURPHY _____ HON. VITO FOSSELLA of new york in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Mr. FOSSELLA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man who has faithfully served the people of Staten Island for many years, Monsignor Joseph Murphy. Ordained a priest in 1954, Monsignor Murphy then completed three years of graduate work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. After his completion of studies, he served as a Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph's Parish in Croton Falls, New York from 1957-1959. Following that, he was assigned to the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of New York from 1959 to 1985, and was the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York from 1968 to 1985. Finally, in 1985 he was assigned to be the pastor of the Church of Saint Clare on Staten Island, a position he has held to the present day. Monsignor Murphy has always been inspired to help and to serve. From a young age, he was struck by the compassion and caring of the clergy that he met, and he felt drawn to serve his community in the same way. Even after his upcoming retirement, he still plans on working, continuing to help and to serve his community. He has always felt it important to meet people where they are at, going into the community and serving, not waiting for others to come to him. Monsignor Murphy is of the opinion that true service to others demands an active role, not passively waiting around. It is in respect to his life-long desire to aid his fellow person that he be honored today. ____________________