[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself and my 
California colleagues, Rep. Anna Eshoo, Rep. Janice Hahn, Rep. Jared 
Huffman, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Juan Vargas, to 
welcome His Holiness Pope Francis to Washington and to celebrate his 
actions yesterday in canonizing Father Junipero Serra.
   Yesterday we were all witness to a sacred ceremony validating the 
holiness of Father Serra as a leader of the Catholic faith in early 
California. But Father Serra is also a major historical figure in 
California's settlement and expansion. As important as his contribution 
to the faith is, his effort to unify and connect north and south 
California laid the groundwork for the state it came to be.
   As most people know, Father Serra is responsible for establishing 
the first 9 of what would eventually be 21 missions up and down the 
coast of California all the way from San Diego in the south to north of 
San Francisco. In today's world, those 21 missions are tantamount to 
social media. They represented a network of community and connectedness 
that brought order to a wilderness and established common links between 
myriad towns and villages. Those missions were so important to the 
framework of community, commerce and government that eventually 
coalesced into a state, that every school child in California must 
construct a mission diorama in the 4th grade as part of his/her history 
lesson. The majority of those missions still stand today and are still 
vibrant centers of faith and community. They also serve as strong 
tourist attractions and bring to life the story of California's early 
settlers to millions of visitors every year. So pivotal was Father 
Serra to the rise and prosperity of California that the state elected 
to have his statue exhibited here in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol.
   Father Serra's presence is especially felt strongly in Carmel, 
California where he established his headquarters and actively 
administered the expansion of the Catholic faith in California. From 
here he also helped manage relations between local peoples and Spanish 
government officials in Mexico as well as with the local military 
officers who commanded the nearby presidio in Monterey. Father Serra is 
buried at the mission in Carmel and neighbors of the mission, city 
residents and all who visit the mission venerate his beneficence to the 
people and the state.
   During Pope Francis' visit to Washington this week my California 
colleagues and I were happy to welcome a good number of Californians to 
the city to celebrate the Pope's visit and Father Serra's canonization. 
In particular I was proud to have nearly 100 constituents from the 
Carmel area come to town to honor our ``home-town saint.'' Among the 
distinguished visitors was Bishop Richard Garcia, Bishop of the Diocese 
of Monterey and his predecessor, Bishop Sylvester Ryan. I was pleased 
that they could be with us as for this momentous occasion.
   Mr. Speaker, I believe the House was moved this week by the Pope's 
visit and his actions regarding Father Serra. I am sure the House joins 
me in thanking the Pope for his leadership, his holy presence and his 
blessing of Father Junipero Serra.

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