[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H3897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME TO FATHER VAL J. PETER

  (Mr. TERRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I have the honor of extending a warm 
welcome to Father Val J. Peter, our guest chaplain in the House of 
Representatives today. And I also want to thank him for his heartfelt 
moving prayer.
  Father Val is a native Nebraskan and has been the fourth executive 
director for Girls and Boys Town USA, with 20 years of service to Girls 
and Boys Town. Father Peter is renowned as one of the principal 
supporters of youth in the world.
  Father Peter once said, ``We are like strong swimmers. When a child 
is floundering, we have a moral obligation to plunge in and help the 
child out of harm's way. Girls and Boys Town is not only to save 
children from harm but to make them whole again so they can become a 
strong, positive force that will touch other lives.''
  As the Bible's Book of Psalms, chapter 127, verses 3 through 5 says: 
``Behold, children are a blessing from the Lord. Like the arrows in the 
hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man 
who has his quiver full of them.''
  Father Val is undoubtedly one of the happiest and most devoted men I 
have ever had the privilege to meet. Father Val Peter began his service 
to Girls and Boys Town in 1985. Twenty years later, as he now nears his 
retirement, the following words he wrote about Girls and Boys Town's 
ongoing work have never rung truer: ``In the midst of apathy, we bring 
enthusiasm. In the midst of despair, we bring hope. In the midst of 
burdensome bureaucracies, we bring an entrepreneurial spirit. In the 
midst of violence, we bring the hope of peace.'' Father Val Peter has 
earned the gratitude of thousands of children and families across 
America.
  Madam Speaker, I know I speak for my colleagues when I say we are 
honored to have Father Val Peter here with us today.

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