[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO FATHER LUKE PALUMBIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2006

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct honor of welcoming Father 
Luke Palumbis to offer the Morning Prayer in the Chamber of the U.S. 
House of Representatives. Today marks the first day of summer and 
indeed the sun is shining down upon the Capitol as we open the morning 
hour, as we do each day the House of Representatives is in session, 
with a prayer to express our tremendous gratitude and to instill the 
strength to act resolutely and with sound judgment with the day's 
proceedings.
  I am pleased to have Father Palumbis here to give thanks and prayer 
to the proceedings of the House. He has taken the time to fly from 
Stockton, California, where he serves the Greek Orthodox community of 
Saint Basil. This is a historic occasion as it is the first time an 
Orthodox clergyman from the west coast has given the Morning Prayer, 
and I am pleased he comes from California's 11th Congressional 
district.
  A canonically ordained priest of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Father 
Palumbis graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 
in Brookline, MA, with a Master in Divinity in 2003, and is currently 
enrolled in a Master in Theology Thesis program at the same 
institution. Previously Father Palumbis attended the University of 
Portland, in Portland, OR, where he earned a Bachelor of Business 
Administration and was a member of the university's intercollegiate 
basketball team.
  Father Palumbis is married to his wife Eleni Palumbis and they are 
awaiting the birth of their first child next month. I wish them both 
the very best of health and happiness back home in Stockton.

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