[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 70 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO HIS BEATITUDE GREGORY III (LAHAM) PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND 
               ALL THE EAST, OF ALEXANDRIA AND JERUSALEM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2001

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the Melkites, or Byzantine Eastern rite 
Catholics of Middle Eastern origin, are the descendants of the early 
Christians of Antioch whose presence is a witness to the universality 
of the Catholic Church. Although the Melkites are concentrated in 
Syria, Lebanon, the Holy land, and the Middle East, the United States 
has served as a welcoming home to the Melkite tradition and community 
for decades. On Sunday, May 13, 2001, the Melkite community of Michigan 
and Our Lady of Redemption Church of Warren, St. Joseph Church of 
Lansing, and St. Michael Church of Plymouth had the distinguished honor 
of hosting His Beatitude Gregory III, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and 
All the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem as part of his first official 
visit to the United States.
  Patriarch Gregory III Laham, elected on November 29, 2000 as the new 
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem, is 
the leader of the one million faithful Melkites belonging to the 
Eastern-rite Church. His Beatitude's contributions have made history in 
the Melkite community. He is the founder of the Magazine Al-Wahdah--
Unity in the Faith, the first ecumenical magazine published in the 
Arabic language. He is also founder of the Cenacle of Jerusalem, an 
independent intellectual movement of the Holy Land, and author of 
several books and articles about the Eastern Church. Building youth 
centers in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Rafidia, he 
has worked hard to create an environment for young Palestinian 
Christians to gather, meet, and work together. He has been involved in 
numerous activities to provide assistance for those in need. These 
efforts include: establishing the Student Fund for college education 
assistance; the Baby Center for medical care and health supervision for 
over 7000 Christians, Muslims, and Jews; and Dental Clinics throughout 
the region. Additionally, he has captivated audiences around the world 
leading masses, dedications, and religious education services, in his 
crusade to improve the lives of people through faith.
  I applaud the Melkite community of Michigan and the Patriarch Gregory 
III for their leadership, commitment, and service. I urge my colleagues 
to join me in saluting him for his exemplary years of faith and 
service, and to pay tribute to His Beatitude as he embarks on this 
historic visit to the dedicated Melkite communities across the nation.

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