[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H7729-H7730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING REVEREND MARTIN R. SPRINGER

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Johnson) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our guest 
chaplain, Pastor Marty Springer, who has served as both an example of 
his faith and civic duty.
  Pastor Springer was raised in southern California, the youngest son 
of Marshall and Doris Springer. After graduating from high school, he 
worked in a bank while attending junior college and joined the United 
States Air Force in December of 1982. During his time serving on active 
duty, he was selected for the honor of serving in the Office of 
Presidential Protocol at Andrews Air Force Base during the Presidency 
of President Ronald Reagan.
  He entered the Air Force Reserve in 1986 and also took a civil 
service position at Scott Air Force Base where he was the director of 
personnel for an Air Force telecommunications agency responsible for 
all aspects of manpower, personnel, and training. During Operations 
Desert Storm and Desert Shield,

[[Page H7730]]

Pastor Springer was recalled to serve in active duty and received the 
Air Force Achievement Medal for his service.
  After 15 years of service to his Nation, Pastor Springer was called 
to serve God and entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1977. After 
graduating, Pastor Springer was ordained as a pastor of the Lutheran 
Church-Missouri Synod in 2000.
  He received his first call to Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church 
and School in Chester, Illinois. His service to his church and his 
community, including his work as chairman of the Chester Veterans 
Memorial Committee, earned him the honor of Outstanding Citizen of 
Chester in 2001.
  Today, Pastor Springer serves as senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran 
Ministries of Edwardsville, Illinois, where he oversees a church, 
Christian day school, and a day school center. He has completed three 
mission trips to Kazakhstan, Haiti, and Honduras and is working to 
complete his clinical pastoral education at Alexian Brothers Medical 
System in St. Louis.
  Pastor Springer has been a model of service for his community, his 
church, and his Nation; and it's truly my honor, Pastor, to join my 
colleagues in welcoming you as our guest chaplain. It's a privilege to 
represent you, and it's a privilege that you're here today.

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