[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 71 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1111-E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED PRIESTLY AND SACRAMENTAL SERVICE OF REVEREND 
                     MONSIGNOR EDWIN JAMES PETERSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 11, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
distinguished priestly and sacramental service of Reverend Monsignor 
Edwin James Petersen. After 50 years, Reverend Monsignor Petersen is 
retiring as Monsignor with the Diocese of Fresno, California.
  Edwin James Petersen was born on November 8, 1933 in Los Angeles, 
California to Edwin Clarence Petersen and Maryellen A. Underwood. As a 
young man, Rev. Msgr. Petersen attended Randsburg Elementary School in 
Randsburg, California. His high school and college education was 
obtained at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio. 
Between 1961 and 1963, he attended Fresno State College in Fresno, 
California where he obtained his Masters of Art degree. In 1970, Edwin 
James Petersen was invited to study at the prestigious American College 
in Louvain, Belgium where he received his Masters of Art in Theory.
  Rev. Msgr. Petersen has been appointed to serve many of our Valley 
churches beginning as early as June 1959 at St. Mary's in Cutler, 
California as an administrator. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as 
an assistant at the Shrine of St. Therese's in Fresno where he spent 
several years working with the parishioners. Over the course of the 
next decade, Rev. Msgr. Petersen spent time as an administrator at Our 
Lady of Sorrows in Parlier, and then became a part of the parish 
families of St. Patrick's, Our Lady of Mercy, and Sacred Heart, all 
located in the community of Merced. Between 1974 and 2000 he was a 
valued and revered Pastor at Our Lady of Mercy, St. Anthony's of Padua 
and the Shrine of St. Therese.

[[Page E1112]]

  Always an advocate on behalf of those in need, Rev. Msgr. Petersen 
was appointed by all of the California Bishops to work as a Public 
Policy Advocate with the California Catholic Conference in our great 
State's capital of Sacramento. This work allowed him to effectively 
provide a strong compassionate voice for the traditionally underserved 
on a wide variety of issues.
  Throughout his lifetime of service, Reverend Monsignor James Petersen 
has become a highly respected leader who has always demonstrated 
sincere commitment to the Diocese of Fresno. As he prepares to retire 
and embark upon new endeavors of interest to him, we thank him for his 
unselfish service and wish him the best of luck for the future.

                          ____________________