Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement on the 100^th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birth. Born of Albanian parents, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in India in 1950 and became the champion for the poor, sick, orphaned and dying for the rest of her life. Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II following her death. 

 “Mother Teresa was one of the most selfless people to have lived, and we all should take a moment to remember the millions of lives touched by her generosity,” said Rep. Engel, co-chairman of the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus.  “She is a revered person among the Indian people, and people all over the world.”

 In April 2010, Rep. Engel welcomed Dr. Liri Berisha to our nation’s Capitol.  Dr. Berisha founded the Mother Teresa Cultural Foundation, commemorating its namesake as a symbol of hope and human dignity.  Dr. Berisha was in Washington to open an exhibit dedicated to the humanitarian work of Mother Teresa.  “I am thankful that Dr. Berisha was able to bring this wonderful exhibition to America, it is full of authentic treasures and fascinating artifacts detailing Mother Teresa’s life and work,” added Rep. Engel. 

 In honor of the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birth, billboards in Times Square will light up blue, while the Hutchinson Metro Center in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s Borough Hall and the USS Intrepid will shine blue and white.  Other locations throughout the nation, and all over the world, will also honor her in the same manner.  These include the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Ontario, St. Peter’s Cathedral in Ireland, and the entire Miami skyline.  Rep. Engel said, “This is an appropriate recognition of her tremendous lifetime of work.”

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