[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 174 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE MOST REVEREND CURTIS JOHN GUILLORY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 9, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to recognize the Most 
Reverend Curtis John Guillory, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of 
Beaumont. Bishop Guillory was born in Mallet, Louisiana to a family of 
cotton sharecroppers as the oldest of sixteen children.
  He graduated from St. Augustine Seminary in 1964 and was ordained to 
priesthood in 1972. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and two Master's 
Degrees, one in Divinity and one in Christian Spirituality. He was 
ordained as auxiliary Bishop in 1988, and installed as the fifth Bishop 
of Beaumont in July of 2000. He is the first African-American to be 
Bishop of Beaumont, and the first African-American ordinary (Bishop 
with full jurisdiction) of any Diocese in Texas.
  His first assignment was to St. Augustine Parish in New Orleans, 
Louisiana, which was the home parish of Mr. Plessy of Plessy vs. 
Ferguson--the case that decided, ``separate but equal'' was 
constitutional (later overturned by Brown vs. Board of Education).
  The Bishop's Episcopal motto is Romans 8:28, which says, ``For those 
who love God, all things work together for good.'' His hobbies include 
reading, exercising, and traveling; the latter two came in handy when 
he carried the Olympic torch in 1996, as it traveled across the 
country!
  As the Vicar of Christ in the Diocese of Beaumont, which includes St. 
Anthony Cathedral, one of only four Minor Basilicas in Texas, the 
Bishop carries out his threefold ministry as teacher of doctrine, a 
priest of sacred worship, and a minister of governance.
  Bishop Guillory is known for his frequent visits to parishes and 
schools. He gives his time freely throughout the community and across 
the country, and has served on a host of boards, including the USCCB 
African American Catholics in Washington, DC; Julie Rogers Gift of Life 
Program in Beaumont, TX; IEA--Inspire, Encourage, Achieve; NCCB 
Committee on World Missions, Washington, DC; Apostleship of the Sea USA 
in Washington, DC; Gulf Coast Epilepsy Association; Houston Area Urban 
League; Housing Opportunities, Inc.; Downtown Houston YMCA; Mental 
Health Association of Greater Houston; Child Advocates, Inc.
  He was also a 2006 recipient of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for 
Catholic Education, from the National Catholic Educational Association 
for the successes of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Beaumont. 
This honor is awarded to those whose personal or professional 
philanthropy of volunteer service has impacted Catholic education in 
the U.S., and our country's youth in general.
  I am proud to recognize the Most Reverend Bishop Curtis Guillory for 
his distinguished ministry and service. He has helped make our world a 
better place to live, and I applaud his unwavering compassion 
dedication to the community and all of humanity.
  That's just the way it is.