[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING BISHOP ROBERT J. CARLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop 
Robert J. Carlson, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, as he 
celebrates the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. The 
Diocese is celebrating this event in honor of Bishop Carlson at St. 
Stanislaus Kostka Church in Bay City, Michigan, on January 11.
  Bishop Carlson is a native of Minneapolis. He was ordained to the 
priesthood on May 23, 1970, for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and 
Minneapolis. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and 
his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul Seminary. He continued 
his studies at Catholic University of America, receiving his Licentiate 
in Canon Law in 1979.
  On January 11, 1984, Bishop Carlson was ordained as an auxiliary 
bishop for his home archdiocese. In 1994 he was appointed the Bishop of 
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He served at this post until Pope John Paul 
II directed he become the Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw. He was 
installed as the fifth Bishop of the Saginaw Diocese on February 24, 
2005.
  Currently Bishop Carlson serves as co-chair of the Mission Advisory 
Committee of the Institute for Priestly Formation, as a member of the 
Canon Law Society of America, a member of the Board of the 
International Dominican Foundation, as a member of Board of Sacred 
Heart Seminary, a member of the Board of Los Cabos Children's 
Foundation, a member of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation 
Directors. In 2004 he founded the Messengers of Peace Religious 
Community in Colombia.
  Bishop Carlson's pastoral letters, speeches and publications reflect 
his commitment to the Catholic Church, priestly formation, the sanctity 
of human life, and evangelizing. He has written on the Sacraments and 
the role of Bishops in the Church.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and 
applaud the work of Bishop Robert J. Carlson. His motto is, ``Before 
the Cross there is no Defense,'' and expresses his deep faith in Our 
Lord, Jesus Christ. The cross on his coat of arms represents his 
commitment and mission to the faithful entrusted to his custody. Bishop 
Carlson has devoted his life to the care and nurturing of people of the 
Catholic Church and all humanity. The best testament to his life's 
achievement is the love, respect and spiritual growth they reflect back 
to him.

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