[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING DR. GEORGE MEETZE FOR HIS HISTORIC SERVICE TO THE SOUTH 
                       CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week history was made 
in the South Carolina State Senate when the Reverend George Elias 
Meetze presented the prayer for opening the Senate First Day of the 
Second Session of the 115th General Assembly on January 13. This marked 
the 55th year of service by the enthusiastic Dr. Meetze as chaplain of 
the Senate. He holds the historic record of being the longest-serving 
chaplain of a legislative body in the world. Every day, as he leads the 
Senate in prayer, he establishes a new record of devotion to the people 
of South Carolina.
  Dr. Meetze is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, New 
York Theological Seminary, and Lutheran Southern Seminary. He is the 
retired pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation of Columbia 
from 1942 to 1974. Dr. Meetze and his late wife, Margarete Allen, have 
two sons, George Allen Meetze and William Dagnall Meetze.
  In every way, Dr. Meetze is a vital participant of the Midlands 
community, never missing Rotary, promoting the Salvation Army, and 
serving the American Cancer Society.
  I urge my colleagues to commend Dr. George Meetze for his historic 
service as he begins a new session.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will always remember 
September 11.

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