[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING REV. BILL MILLER OF HAYS, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, today I rise to express my 
respect and admiration for a man who has devoted his life to serving 
God and the lives of others--Reverend Bill Miller of Hays, Kansas. The 
time has come to recognize this man who has touched the lives of 
countless Kansans and only recently retired from his post as Hospital 
Chaplain at Hays Medical Center.
  Reverend Miller began his position at Hays Medical Center at the age 
of 73. With his wife Carolyn so often at his side, he remained there 
for 11 years. It was only this past December that he decided to retire 
due to health concerns.
  During his tenure at Hays Medical Center, Rev. Miller delivered daily 
devotionals entitled ``A Moment with God'' to patients and associates 
both personally and through a telephone prayer line. In order to share 
these with others, the publication rights for these messages were given 
to the Hays Medical Center Foundation. They were then compiled into the 
book, ``The World My Father Made.''
  It came as a surprise to no one when Rev. Miller's book sold out 
within a few months. According to the Hays Medical Center Foundation, 
this prompted a reprint to meet the ``overwhelming call for his book.'' 
One can only imagine how many lives he has touched through print.
  According to Hays Medical Center Foundation Executive Director Bob 
Lowen, Rev. Miller ``is the Rock of Gibraltar.'' ``He's known now to 
second and third generations of families. He baptized kids and did 
whatever. Now many of those kids are parents and grandparents.''
  While Rev. Miller has truly been ``The Rock'' for so many folks, it 
is his wife and Carolyn who has provided solidity and inspiration in 
his own life. Not only has Carolyn been his soul mate, but she has 
given of her own time as a Hays Medical Center volunteer.
  Rev. Miller's history of service to others extends back several 
decades. He attended both Garrett Theological Seminar and Asbury 
Theological Seminar and was ordained in 1950. He truly made a 
difference in several Kansas communities as he served churches in 
Wichita, Hays, and Hutchinson.
  Although I can express how special Rev. Miller is, no one does a 
better job of doing so as close friend and aforementioned Bob Lowen. As 
Bob said, ``Rev. Miller is a tall, lean, kind and gentle man much like 
Abraham Lincoln. I have no doubt but that God gave Rev. Miller to us to 
truly be ``Our Shepherd.''
  I cannot think of better words to describe thisman. Madam Speaker, 
our community owes a debt of gratitude to someone who has quite simply 
been a ``Shephard'' to individuals in their time of need. Rev. Bill 
Miller has provided comfort to so many patients and families that I can 
only say ``thank you.'' Thank you Rev. Miller for answering the call to 
make a difference.

                          ____________________