[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 97 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S7066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   COMMENDING REVEREND GEORGE POULOS

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize 
the extraordinary service and remarkable character of Reverend George 
Poulos of the Church of the Archangels in Stamford, CT, who recently 
retired after over a half decade of service.
  Reverend Poulos has come to hold a special place in our hearts and 
minds over his 53-year career. Over the years, he has been a spiritual 
father and friend to thousands of Connecticut families. As parish 
priest for Church of the Archangels, Reverend Poulos has officiated 
over 2,000 baptisms, 1,000 weddings, and 800 funerals. Although his 
formal tenure as parish priest ended earlier this week, Reverend Poulos 
remains intimately connected to the birth, life, and remembrance of the 
Stamford community. I have known Reverend Poulos for many years and 
treasure the example he has set in his career of devoted service; I am 
grateful for all the wisdom he has offered me personally.
  The Church of the Archangels where Reverend Poulos served as parish 
priest is a magnificent structure built in the 11th century Byzantine 
style; in fact, it is the only true Byzantine-style church in the 
Western Hemisphere. As a 16-year-old, I watched the amazing structure 
emerge just down the street from the house where I grew up. When you 
enter the church, the left side wall reads: ``AGIASON TOUS AGAPONTAS 
THN EFPREPEIAN TOU OIKOU SOU,'' which means, ``Bless those who love the 
beauty of thy house.'' Reverend Poulos has offered us a rare kind of 
love that helps the Stamford community practice reverence, celebrate 
growth, and appreciate all the beauty of this life.
  Our State and this Nation are blessed to have leaders like Reverend 
Poulos in our communities. As he retires from his church to spend time 
with his wife Christine, his five sons, and six grandchildren, I thank 
him for his service and assure him that his important contributions and 
generous spirit will never fade from our memory.

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