WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a proposal to award Cardinal John O'Connor of New York a Congressional Gold Medal for his work with the poor, the sick, and the needy.

    The House voted 413-1 to give the award to the cardinal who turned 80 last month and is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor last August. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, was the sole opponent, criticizing the $30,000 cost of the medal. He was also the sole opponent in a separate House vote to give a posthumous Gold Medal to "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz who died on Saturday. The Senate is expected to approve the medals next month.

    Representatives praised Cardinal O'Connor leadership in caring for inner-city children and AIDS patients as well as his work in establishing diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Israel and as a military chaplain. "John Cardinal O'Connor is a great man," said Rep. Vito Fossella, R-New York, who nominated him for the medal. "Soldiers, priests, and parishioners know in their hearts that the cardinal has always been a man of the people."

    "He has had many critics," acknowledged Rep. John LaFalce, D-New York. "But from the beginning of life to the very cessation of life, Cardinal O'Connor was consistent in his belief that all deserved justice under the law and as much human love as mankind was capable of."

    Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson added his praise for the cardinal. "I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Cardinal O'Connor," said Nicholson. "Throughout his life, Cardinal O'Connor has been the embodiment of so many virtues -- selflessness, sacrifice, compassion, and generosity. He has been a true inspiration for so many Americans, teaching all of us to care for our neighbors and reach out to those in need." He also noted that Catholic high schools, under his leadership, have reached a graduation rate of 99 percent.