Fr. Hesburgh served our country for more than six decades under six different presidential administrations. He was described by the current vice president as the most powerful non-elected official in the history of the United States. The current president said that he "inspired generations of young men and women to lead with the courage of their convictions. His deep and abiding faith in a loving God, and in the power of our shared humanity, led him to join the first-ever United States Civil Rights Commission, and join hands with Dr. King to sing 'We Shall Overcome.' His belief that what unites us is greater than what divides us made him a champion of academic freedom and open debate."
Americans have been honored by as much for less. Fr. Ted should be honored.