Fr. Hesburgh Awarded Catholic Charities USA Centennial Medal

One of America's most respected and admired leaders honored during special ceremony at University of Notre Dame

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), the 100-year-old social services organization working to reduce poverty in America, today presents its specially-commissioned Centennial Medal to University of Notre Dame President Emeritus, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.

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"We honor a man not only deeply admired and respected in this country, but around the world," said Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of CCUSA.   "Fr. Hesburgh's life has been one of devotion to education and service to his church – exemplified by his unparalleled 35 years as President of Notre Dame.  Also, his dedication to our nation is largely without equal, serving on 16 Presidential commissions, including the Civil Rights Commission.  Few are of his caliber."

"Our Centennial Medal is the most prestigious symbol of Catholic Charities' first 100 years, and Fr. Hesburgh is a person who perfectly embodies the spirit and the meaning of all that we stand for," said Kathleen Flynn Fox, CCUSA Board member and emcee of the ceremony. "Not only has Fr. Hesburgh been a remarkable academic and religious leader for many years, but he truly is a great American who we warmly honor with this medal."

The Centennial Medal recognizes the valuable contributions of individuals and organizations to the reduction of poverty in the United States and the work that Catholic Charities staff and volunteers perform every day in service to the least among us.

For more information about Catholic Charities USA visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrated its centennial anniversary and introduced new federal legislation – the National Opportunity and Community Renewal Act (NOCRA) – to transform the nation's approach to poverty.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA