The Speaker honored me by asking me to give the opening prayer for tonight’s session.

This is what I said.

Father Ted got his last wish.

Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, President of Notre Dame University from 1952-1987, died on Thursday.

His last wish was to say Mass on his last day on Earth. Thursday morning, he did.

During his career, Fr. Hesburgh’s beliefs and courage no doubt prompted Presidents and Popes to wonder who would rid them of this meddlesome priest.

He was chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in 1970 when the commission found a “major breakdown” in enforcement of federal laws and executive orders against racial discrimination.

Two years later, he resigned, at the request of White House officials.

Closer to home, he resisted the Vatican’s attempts to assert greater control over Catholic universities in the United States.

I didn’t go to Notre Dame but I did go to the Notre Dame – Miami game in 1988. The t-shirts on campus read Catholics vs. Convicts.

I went with Jay Schwartz. Dutch.

The Fighting Irish led late in the 4th quarter, but Miami was driving down the field. “I think we’re going to hold them,” I told Jay.

“Who is “we,” Delegate O’Rosenberg?” he responded.

ND won, 31-30, on its way to a national championship.

Today, WE as a nation mourn a champion – a distinguished priest, educator, and American.