Rep. Ron Estes Honors the Life of Fr. Emil Joseph Kapaun
Washington,
September 30, 2021
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Roman Rodriguez
(316-262-8992)
WASHINGTON – Today Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) delivered a speech on the House floor honoring the life of Fr. Emil Joseph Kapaun following the return of his remains to Kansas from the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. “Father Kapaun is one of the finest men to ever come out from the state of Kansas,” said Rep. Estes. “For generations Father Kapaun has inspired hundreds around the world to greater faith and service through adversity. Today I am proud that Father Kapaun has finally returned home to his native Kansas.” Fr. Kapaun grew up on a farm in Kansas and was an ordained priest for the Wichita Diocese. He went on to become a U.S. Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War with the rank of captain. Fr. Kapaun died in a North Korean prison camp on May 23, 1951, at the age of 35. Many around the world rightly celebrate the story of Fr. Kapaun, who is being considered for sainthood by the Catholic Church; a first for a native Kansan.
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