Presenter
Presented by Mr. Ricciardi
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WHEREAS, Monsignor Charles Owen Rice was born in New York City in 1908 and later moved to the City of Pittsburgh; and
Whereas, Monsignor Rice graduated from Duquesne University in 1930 and began studies at St. Vincent Seminary. Monsignor Rice was ordained in 1934 and began a career of pastoral service to various local parishes and the community in general that continued for over seven decades; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Rice dedicated his life to the poor and those who had been deprived of their rights, particularly working men and women. To this end, Monsignor Rice undertook a lifelong struggle on behalf of the American labor movement, often acted as an arbitrator, and was a founding member, chaplain and the first chairman of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists; and
WHEREAS, in 1937, Monsignor Rice founded St. Joseph's House of Hospitality which provided shelter and food for homeless men. He also served as director of the Catholic Radical Alliance of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Rice was officially installed as a Monsignor in 1964 and during the 1960's and 1970's he was an activist in the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war movement of the Viet Nam War era. In 1967, Monsignor Rice marched arm in arm with Martin Luther King at the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Monsignor Charles Owen Rice was a noted journalist, both on radio for 44 years and for the Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper, tackling topics such as the labor movement, Civil Rights and the plight of the poor and homeless; and
Whereas, Monsignor Charles Owen Rice died Sunday, November 13, 2005 at Vincentian Home in McCandless.
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Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh morns the loss of Monsignor Charles Owen Rice and honors his life and legacy on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2005.