[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H2360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING POPE BENEDICT XVI

  (Mr. DENT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pope Benedict to the 
United States for his first visit since becoming Pope in 2005. At this 
moment, the Pope is at the White House. This historic visit is a 
significant moment in history for our country, and an important 
opportunity for the 65 million American Catholics across the country to 
build a stronger rapport with their spiritual leader.
  For one of my constituents, my friend and neighbor, Dr. Brennan 
Pursell, the Pontiff's visit is particularly special. Although Dr. 
Pursell has never met the Pope, he shares an intimate connection with 
him.
  Dr. Pursell, a professor of history at DeSales University in the 
Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, has spent the past 3 years researching 
and writing about the upbringing, development, and motivations of 
Joseph Ratzinger, the man we know today as Pope Benedict.
  Dr. Pursell's book, ``Benedict of Bavaria, An Intimate Portrait of 
the Pope and his Homeland,'' tells the story of a gifted intellectual 
and spiritual man who has been shaped by the rich traditions of 
Bavarian culture and deep devotion to the Catholic faith.
  The portrait that Dr. Pursell paints in his book will help us all 
understand more about who the Pope is and what informs his 
perspectives.
  I commend my constituents, Dr. Pursell; his wife, Irmgard, who is a 
German national; their son, Benedict; and daughter, Elena, for their 
dedication and for Brennan's significant contribution to history and 
the Catholic faith in capturing the story of Benedict of Bavaria.
  I join with my constituents in warmly welcoming the Pope to our great 
country. I encourage everybody to take a look at this wonderful work 
``Benedict of Bavaria'' by Dr. Brennan Pursell, my good friend and 
neighbor.

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