– Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a leading human rights advocate in the U.S. Congress, received an honorary degree at the Catholic University of America (CUA) May 17^th on the East Steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

Smith was presented with the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, or “Honoris Causa” by CUA President Peter Kilpatrick, joining other honorary degree recipients the University has conferred since 1896, including presidents Calvin Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson, as well as Rev. Mother (now Saint) Katharine Drexel, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Cardinal John O'Connor and others.

U.S. Rep. Smith and CUA President Kilpatrick at commencement May 17.

At commencement, Smith was introduced by CUA Vice President Karna Lozoya, who said, “When Christopher Smith was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980, he began one of the most principled and persistent humanitarian crusades in American politics. For more than four decades, the New Jersey congressman has been a champion for the most vulnerable among us, both at home and abroad. Congressman Smith's leadership in the fight against human trafficking has been transformative.”

Smith, who spoke at a pre-commencement event, praised CUA leaders for their work to produce a new generation armed with sound Catholic values.  “Human rights violations need warriors to stop the practices and protect the victims,” said Smith.

Speaking at O’Connell Hall, coincidentally named after the current Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, Smith said,  “Great to be in Father O’Connell’s Hall—named for the former President of CUA—the extraordinarily effective, wise and holy Bishop David O’Connell of my Trenton, NJ diocese whom you honored right here in mid-March.”

“I pray that Catholic University, especially the Center for Human Rights, will create such warriors,” Smith said. Jesus implored us in Matthew 25:45, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ We must never quit nor grow weary in the defense of human rights.  Injustice need not be forever. Many are depending on us.”

Smith credited his political calling to his college years, when he and future wife Marie worked together at prolife student group on campus. 

“She has been a powerful, talented and incredibly wise, faith-filled pro-life leader, especially in the battle to defend human life around the world,” he said of Marie, who was recovering from an illness, and not able to attend. He said she has devoted decades of international advocacy to the cause. “Words are inadequate to express my love, respect, admiration and gratitude for Marie.”

 Said President Kilpatrick at the pre-commencement ceremony, “Congressman Smith exemplifies courageous witness to the faith, best known for his pro-life work, but he also has helped to redefine the concept of ‘pro-life’ to include religious freedom, autism research and treatment, human trafficking, and international labor rights.”

Rep. Smith greets two students from New Jersey at CUA's 2025 commencement.

Smith also said that the appointment of a new Pope has sparked new hopes within the Catholic Church and noted that the new pontiff’s U.S. roots—the first American to ever rise to the Chair of St. Peter—came as a genuine surprise.

“We absolutely celebrate our new American Pope, Leo XIV,” Smith said. “The renewed hope and well-founded expectations are remarkable. Apart from the Holy Spirit, who saw that coming?”

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