[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 12 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S81]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, it is my true honor and distinct 
pleasure--joy, really--to help host Reverend Smith today. As the Acting 
President pro tempore said, Reverend Smith is the senior pastor of the 
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Pioneer, LA. He is from 
Rayville, LA. All of this is in northeast Louisiana, the Monroe area.
  Reverend Smith is very distinguished and has brought real hope to so 
many people in so many communities in that area--first of all, as a 
spiritual leader, the leader of his congregation and so many others; 
secondly, as a true leader in fighting truancy, fighting dropout rates 
very effectively, and also developing good jobs through many school 
systems. But the third point I really want to make is that I am most 
joyful to help host him today because he is a true and a good and a 
tremendously supportive friend. I know that from personal experience, 
from personal counsel and encouragement, and so do so many other 
Louisianans know that, and we cherish the reverend in that very 
personal way. So I am truly honored and delighted to be able to 
introduce the Senate to Reverend Smith.

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