[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 89 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING ARCHBISHOP ROBERT J. CARLSON, ARCHBISHOP OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF 
                              SAINT LOUIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 2009

  Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome Archbishop Robert J. 
Carlson who was installed as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint 
Louis.
  A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson 
began his seminary education in 1962 at Saint Paul Seminary in Saint 
Paul, Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1966 and 
successfully completed his studies earning a Masters of Divinity degree 
in 1976.
  Archbishop Carlson was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 and 
served the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for several years 
until 1977 when he began graduate studies at the Catholic University of 
America, where he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law.
  Thirteen years after his ordination to the priesthood Archbishop 
Carlson was named Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis by His 
Holiness, Pope John Paul II, choosing for his episcopal motto: ANTE 
CRUCEM NIHIL DEFENSIONIS (``Before the Cross There Is No Defense''). 
Archbishop Carlson was later named Coadjutor of the Diocese of Sioux 
Falls in 1994 and succeeded Bishop Paul V. Dudley as the 7th Bishop of 
Sioux Falls in 1995. Less then ten years later he was named Bishop of 
Saginaw by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II in December 2004 and was 
installed as its 5th Bishop in February 2005 by Archbishop Gabriel 
Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America.
  Archbishop Robert J. Carlson was appointed Archbishop of St. Louis by 
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on April 21, 2009. He is the 9th 
Archbishop and the 10th Bishop of St. Louis since its establishment as 
a diocese in 1826.
  The St. Louis Archdiocese comprises more than one-half million 
Catholics, who worship at its 198 churches and chapels. More than 
48,700 children attend the 152 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.
  I ask that my colleagues join me today in welcoming Archbishop 
Carlson and congratulating him on his new appointment.

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