Not exactly a medal-winning statement

Father Hesburgh is famous for receiving a record 144 honorary degrees, but those pieces of academic paper are merely written evidence of something far more substantive: his life-long effort to improve education, promote religion, extend civil rights and foster peace.

Recently, his pile of awards grew even higher when he was given the Congressional Gold Medal, which may be the capstone on the 83-year-old priest's life of dedicated service. He shares that singular prize with such luminaries as George Washington, Mother Teresa and Jonas Salk. It was characteristic of him to note during the ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., that the most important moment of his life remains his ordination day, when he felt called by the Holy Spirit to serve not just Catholics, but all people.

This nation has seen many giants but few tower above Father Hesburgh. That is why it was more than a little disconcerting to hear him make this statement about President Clinton while receiving the Gold Medal: "There's hardly a good cause this president has not supported."

We can think of several:

* Far from championing the right to life of the unborn, President Clinton has done all he can to promote abortion, even twice vetoing legislation to stop partial-birth abortions.

* In terms of capital punishment, Mr. Clinton is famous for rushing home from his first presidential campaign to oversee the execution of a man with brain damage. As chief executive, he has worked for legislation extending the list of crimes that would incur the federal death penalty.

* Welfare reform, which he signed into law, has had deleterious effects on the poor and on the charitable services which help them. So has the Balanced Budget Act, which he also signed. Just last week, more than 100 Catholic healthcare officers told Congress how cuts in Medicare funding have damaged services to the sick and elderly (see page 23).

* It is odd, to say the least, for a man of peace like Father Hesburgh to compliment a President who has so often resorted to war -- and random missile launches. Innocent people have died in these latter attacks. He has continued an embargo on Iraq, even though its effects result in sickness and death for innocent civilians, many of them children. Conversely, President Clinton has ignored pleas from places around the globe where horrendous terror has been left unchecked (in East Timor and in parts of Africa, for example).

Again and again, in matters literally about life and death, President Clinton has too often chosen the latter for us to echo Father Hesburgh's compliment. We hope it was but an offhand remark delivered during the sort of occasion that invites the polite swapping of praise, much of it not meant to be taken seriously.

(07-27-00)