When Democrats took control of Congress last January they used the "first 100" or "first 1,000" theme from historians of past presidencies and congresses and, in making it their own, reduced the time frame from "days" to "hours."

They pledged to get a lot done for the country in the first 100 legislative hours on their watch. "We will restore civility, integrity and fiscal responsibility to the House of Representatives," said the new House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "We will make our nation safer ...; we will make our economy fairer ...; we will make health care more affordable ...; we will broaden college opportunity ...; we will energize America by achieving energy independence ...; we will guarantee a dignified retirement."

No one thought this would be achieved in 100 hours, but this Congress did get off to a good legislative start on the long road to new ways of doing things in our country. However, we have to keep reminding ourselves that in the struggle for justice and equality a lot more than legislation needs to be accomplished.

As Pope Paul VI wrote in "Call to Action" ("Octogesima Adveniens"), "Legislation is necessary, but it is not sufficient for setting up true relationships of justice and equality.... If beyond legal rules there is no deeper feeling of respect for and service to others, then even equality before the law can serve as an alibi for flagrant discrimination, continued exploitation and actual contempt" (23).

It is time now --- in the months and years ahead --- to focus national policy on the dignity of the human person. If there is "no deeper feeling of respect" for all, then our legislative efforts amount to an "alibi," an excuse for our societal failure to right the wrongs and heal the wounds in our body politic.

If we Christian Catholics live under a commandment to "love one another," as we most certainly do, it should come as no surprise that we are expected to respect the dignity of one another, of each and every other person on the face of the earth.

One of my Catholic friends wrote a letter offering unsolicited advice to a re-elected Catholic leader in Congress. He shared it with me and I offer a paragraph from that letter here: "When you speak, avoid talking about 'justice.' It's too abstract and seldom connected with the gut. I say this of course as a long time supporter of justice.

"Instead, speak of 'fairness.' It touches the heart and makes common sense. Speak about our common journey to restore 'fairness.' Without 'fairness' in all our national dealings you might say we are betraying the values of our nation. So keep on talking about fairness. It will take you a long way forward."

Indeed, a preoccupation with fairness will carry all of us a long way forward in all areas of private and public life. This takes me back to the notion of human dignity. Is it fair to ignore the dignity of another human person at home, school, work or in the wider reaches of national life?

Moreover, concern for the dignity of everyone, friend and foe alike, will function as a control in the quest for fairness, protecting it from the excesses of violence and contempt. We can build a better nation simply by being fair.

Jesuit Father William J. Byron can be reached at: wbyron@sjprep.org.