[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REV. THEODORE CARL MELINATE; SPREADING JOY ALONG THE WAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has 
blessed us all with his commitment and generosity to our Nation's 
children, the Reverend Theodore Carl Melinat. Reverend Melinat 
epitomizes the qualities of selflessness, dedication, and devotion that 
all members of our Society should aspire to.
  On Saturday, February 22, The Lutheran Child and Family Services of 
Michigan will hold its annual meeting, ``Joy Along the Way,'' and honor 
Rev. Theodore Carl Melinat for his 30 years of dedication to Lutheran 
Child and Family Services and the people of Michigan. Reverend Melinat 
joined the Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan in 1967 when 
it was still called the Lutheran Children's Friend Society of Michigan 
and served as its executive assistant until 1971. In 1972, Reverend 
Melinat became the executive director of the agency, a post he 
continues to hold. In 1981, under the Reverend's directorship, the 
agency switched to its current name, the Lutheran Child and Family 
Service of Michigan.
  Ted Melinat was born in Crockston, MN and attended Concordia College, 
Concordia Seminary, and the University of Michigan before becoming a 
Missionary-at-Large for the Michigan District of LC-MS in northwest 
Grand Rapids. During his long and varied career, Theodore Carl Melinat 
has been the first pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Comstock Park, MI, 
the vacancy pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI, and served 
as an advisory pastoral delegate for the Convention of Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod in Anaheim, CA. Always willing to give of himself, 
Reverend Melinat over the years has served on numerous boards of 
directors for Michigan Children associations such as the Michigan 
Federation of Private Child and Family Agencies.
  Never seeking the limelight, Reverend Melinat has quietly contributed 
his time and energy to a wide variety of charitable causes for the sake 
of our children. Causes such as the Child Welfare League of America and 
the Governor's Task Force on Children's Issues have been fortunate 
enough to have the Reverend working tirelessly on behalf of their 
organization. Through the years, the Reverend has served on numerous 
boards to assist the Lutheran Church in their outreach efforts in 
Michigan. Reverend Melinat is a humble, decent citizen who has embodied 
the Christian work ethic throughout three decades of dedicated public 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, moral courage and dedication to service are only two of 
the myriad of admirable qualities that Theodore Carl Melinat teaches us 
by example every day. For three decades Michigan's children and you and 
I have been fortunate enough to have him as an advocate. For these 
reasons, I ask you and the rest of our colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Reverend Melinat for 30 years of dedicated service to 
the people, and most importantly the children, of Michigan.

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