[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 70 (Thursday, June 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GREETINGS TO REV. PHILIP A. SMITH

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am delighted to welcome Father Philip 
Smith, the president of Providence College, our guest Chaplain.
  Providence College is an extraordinary institution in my home State 
of Rhode Island. It is a place where many of my neighbors and friends 
have been educated. More than that, it has been a source of strength, 
purpose, and inspiration for the whole community. Father Smith is the 
11th president of Providence College and has been a paramount leader 
both for his institution and for the State of Rhode Island.
  Providence College is a Dominican college, a college committed to not 
only developing the minds but the character of its students. Its leader 
is a theologian, a scholar, and a leader in his own right. His 
leadership is not simply intellectual; he is a leader of integrity and 
of commitment.
  Rhode Island is proud of Providence College, and particularly proud 
of the president of Providence College, Rev. Philip Smith. It was an 
honor to have him in the Chamber today to lead us in prayer. I thank 
him and I commend him. I wish him well.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, at this juncture I ought to ask to associate 
myself with the remarks of the distinguished Senator from Rhode Island. 
He has spoken eloquently about Father Philip Smith and his wonderful 
leadership at Providence College.
  I am honored to be a graduate of Providence, as was my father. I have 
fond memories of my years there, as my father did in his undergraduate 
days.
  Father Smith led this institution most admirably during his tenure. 
We are delighted and honored he is performing the duties of assistant 
chaplain here today. I commend him for his opening prayer.
  The Dominican priests are known as the order of preachers, Mr. 
President. Certainly Father Smith eloquently displayed that historic 
reputation of the Dominican order. The lives of the students who have 
attended Providence College have been so admirably altered as a result 
of the education of this wonderful institution. I know they join me in 
expressing our gratitude, not only to Father Smith but the faculty and 
administrator and others over the years who provided literally 
thousands of students and families with a wonderful educational 
opportunity in liberal arts, medicine and health, a very diverse 
academic curricula that is offered at Providence College. But also as 
my colleague from Rhode Island has adequately and appropriately 
identified, it is the spiritual leadership as well which we appreciate 
immensely.

  It is truly an honor to welcome Father Smith to this Chamber, to 
thank him for his words, and to wish him and the entire family of 
Providence College the very best in the years to come.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.

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