Smithsonian museum pays tribute to retired Notre Dame president

Published: 2007-10-10

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a tribute to Holy Cross Father Theodore Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Oct. 9 described him as a "great historical figure" and a good friend. Rice was one of several dignitaries to attend an event marking the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery's acceptance of a photograph of Father Hesburgh clasping hands with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during a 1964 civil rights rally in Chicago. Rice, who received a master's degree from the University of Notre Dame, said "Father Ted," as she called him, spent most of his time on campus talking with students and was "rarely in the office." Holy Cross Father John Jenkins, the current president of Notre Dame, said the photograph of Father Hesburgh shows what the priest's life was really like. "He was always willing to join with others for what was good and just and right," he said. Father Hesburgh was Notre Dame's president from 1952 until 1987.

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