[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9071-S9072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise this morning as a point of personal 
privilege to welcome a friend and leader in our community in 
Wilmington, DE. Father Christo opened the Senate in prayer this 
morning. It may be the only time the entire Greek community in 
Wilmington, DE, was tuned in to C-SPAN as we opened up the morning 
session. I want this Senate to know and I hope my colleagues will get a 
chance to meet Father Christo.
  Many who were raised with a parochial education got an opportunity to 
meet religious teachers. The kind of guy one always looked for was 
Father. Father is a guy whom everyone knew was much smarter than you. 
You knew he was probably a better athlete than you were. You knew he 
had thought through whatever you were thinking of before you thought 
it. And you also knew you could go to him whenever you needed help.

[[Page S9072]]

  That is the role he continues to play with an adult parish in one of 
the most active communities in my State. The Greek-American community 
is small in our State, but it is extremely vibrant. Similar to many 
communities, the heart and soul of it is the church. The heart and soul 
of it is not only the spiritual center of the community, it is the 
political center of the community. I mean that in a nonpartisan way. It 
is the social center of the community. It is the community. It is the 
embodiment of community.

  We have very important business this morning, and I will yield to my 
distinguished colleague, Senator Carper.
  I can say to Father, it is an honor to have him here this morning. I 
hope he has an even greater impression than I know he possessed when he 
came, of the majesty of this place. This is the people's Chamber. They 
talk about the people's House, this building, this Senate, all of the 
Capitol. Every time people come to visit, I remind them that this 
belongs to them. This is theirs. We are only here as hired hands for a 
while. I hope Father takes back to his parish the notion that there is 
an awful lot of good that can be done here.
  I am delighted he took the time this morning to remind us of the 
relationship between temple, Government, and the spiritual leadership 
that comes directly and immediately from God. I thank him for that. I 
thank him for his generosity and leadership back home in our community 
beyond Holy Trinity. Thank you very much.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I add a couple of comments to the words of 
our colleague, Senator Biden, in welcoming Father Christo to the Senate 
Chamber today.
  We are proud of our Constitution. Delaware was the first State to 
ratify the Constitution of our country. The Constitution calls for 
separation of church and state. Some people may find, given that as our 
heritage, it is unusual we begin each of our sessions in the Senate 
with an opening prayer.
  Today, we are honored for all in Delaware, for everybody in the Greek 
community in our State, and everyone in the country, to be able to 
welcome one of our own to open the Senate in prayer.
  I am struck by the number of times I talk to people in my State and 
around the country who say: We pray for you--not just me as an 
individual but for us as a collective body, as we meet. I always say: 
We welcome your prayers; keep praying. We certainly need those prayers.
  I asked my staff to give me a little bit of background on Father, to 
say a few words. I have 10 pages of accomplishments. What a remarkable 
tale of accomplishment--and still a young pup.
  I am honored you are here. Thank you for coming and starting our day 
on the right foot.
  I would say to those people from other States, in talking to the 
Presiding Officer before the session began, he was asking where the 
Greek Church is in our State. If you come through Delaware on I-95, and 
a lot of people do, in the early part of June, you get off on 
Pennsylvania Avenue and head north a couple of blocks, make a left turn 
on Broom Street, you will find the Greek Church. They hold a great 
festival there. It is not only a church where people go for their 
souls, but three nights in the early part of June you can go there and 
enjoy great Greek food, dance, and drink. It is a wonderful time of 
fellowship with people who are Greek their whole lives and people who 
are Greek for a night or two.
  We are honored by your presence, Father, and thank you for embracing 
us and thank you for your warm and wonderful prayer.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Montana.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for 15 minutes to 
speak in morning business.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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