WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The US Senate on Wednesday rushed through legislation to award Cardinal John O'Connor of New York with the country's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Meal, even as they received news of the 80-year-old cardinal's continuing fight with illness.

    The Senate agreed unanimously to grant the award to the cardinal, following on the House's vote last month 410-1 to do so. The resolution will go before President Bill Clinton. Only 250 people have received the award, including George Washington and Mother Teresa.

    The cardinal had surgery last August to remove a brain tumor and was weakened by radiation treatments. After returning to the pulpit for Christmas, Cardinal O'Connor was forced to miss last Sunday's Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and cancel appointments this week because of continuing weakness and failing eyesight.

    In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, praised the cardinal's work on behalf of AIDS patients, the needy, children and farm workers, and for his work to re-establish diplomatic ties between Israel and the Vatican, while also noting their disagreement on abortion and homosexual rights.