[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           25 YEARS OF GLORY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 1997

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a person special 
to Livonia, MI: Father George Shalhoub.
  For the last 25 years, Fr. George has been a spiritual leader, church 
builder, educator, loyal husband, and father. He was the driving force 
that built St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, making the church what 
it is today.
  Born in Lebanon, George Shalhoub immigrated to America and in 1972 he 
married his wife, Nouhad, was ordained as a priest, and assigned to the 
newly established St. Mary Orthodox Church within 2 weeks.
  After the birth of their first child the following year, St. Mary's 
broke ground for the new church and fellowship building. In March 1976, 
the congregation, led by Fr. Shalhoub, celebrated its first divine 
liturgy in their own church.
  After years of building, growth, and progress, tragedy struck in 
April 1996, testing the strength of the Fr. Shalhoub and the entire St. 
Mary's family. Their church was destroyed by fire.
  But just 6 months later, thanks to the hard work, leadership, and 
dedication of Fr. Shalhoub, St. Mary's was resurrected from the flames 
like the phoenix.
  This week George, Nina, their four children, and the entire St. 
Mary's congregation celebrate 25 years of strength, dedication, 
commitment, and faith. I extend my heartiest congratulations on their 
special anniversary.

                          ____________________