[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF REV. ZAIDAN'S 
              PRIESTHOOD AND THE LIFE OF JOHN MILAD NISSER

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                            HON. RAY LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, as a Lebanese American, I rise here today 
to recognize the celebration of St. Maron Feast Day on February 11, 
2007, by The Parish of Our Lady of Mount Lebanon in Los Angeles. They 
are planning a grand banquet at the Biltmore Hotel for this occasion 
and are honoring the 20th anniversary of the priesthood of Father 
Abdallah Zaidan, their pastor, and John Milad Nisser, who is receiving 
a Lifetime Achievement Award.
  Born in Kseibe, Lebanon, Rev. Zaidan joined the Congregation of 
Maronite Lebanese Missionaries and earned his Master's degrees at St. 
John's University in New York. He entered Novitiate in September 1980 
and was ordained in July 1986. Father Abdullah E. Zaidan received his 
Master's in Theology in 1986, his Master's in Philosophy in 1987, and 
his Master's in Education in 1990.
  Beginning his service in Lebanon as a Chaplain and teacher, Rev. 
Zaidan immigrated to the United States in 1988. He became Assistant 
Rector at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn, and in January 
1990, became Pastor of St. George Maronite Catholic Church in San 
Antonio. Beginning in August 1992, Father Zaidan became Regional 
Superior of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries in the United States and is 
currently the Rector of Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral in 
Los Angeles, and Protopresbyter for the Southwest and Northwest Regions 
of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, as well as 
several other important positions within the church and the community. 
I join the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Lebanon to congratulate 
Rev. Zaidan for his 20 years of wonderful service.
  Furthermore, I would also like to honor John Milad Nisser who will be 
presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. John Nisser was born in 
Batroun, a small town north of Beirut, in Lebanon. His father died when 
he was just 15, so John took it upon himself to provide for his family 
by taking odd jobs and tutoring the children of wealthy families. By 
doing so, he was able to provide for the other five children while 
becoming fluent in French, Arabic, English, and later Spanish. In 1947, 
John left Lebanon and journeyed first to South America and eventually 
to California. In California, he turned to the place of his faith for 
comfort and joined the church of Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon. Here he 
married Rosalie Barhouse in 1949. Dreaming of owning his own business, 
he purchased and operated a small market. Still, he wanted to do more. 
After finally securing the necessary loans, he and Rosalie built and 
managed several apartment buildings, and later constructed three senior 
citizen homes. Through all this, he has never stopped giving thanks to 
God and his country for what life has given him. Due to his generosity, 
the church of St. Stephens in Batroun has been given new windows, an 
organ, pews, and a hearse. He has sponsored the building of the St. 
Vincent DePaul nursing home and set up an Endowment Fund through Our 
Lady of Mount Lebanon to provide for the poor in Lebanon. Here in the 
United States, many Lebanese transfer students were offered free rent 
in his apartments during the duration of their education. Our Lady of 
Mt. Lebanon has consistently been a recipient of his generosity.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these two 
men who have contributed greatly to their communities and touched the 
lives of many.

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