[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WELCOMING REVEREND JOHN A. DeSOCIO 

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Reed) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, and it is my pleasure and 
privilege to host the Very Reverend John A. DeSocio, pastor of St. 
Mary's Church in Elmira, New York, for today's opening prayer over the 
House of Representatives.
  Father DeSocio has committed his life to both his faith and his 
country, displaying an extraordinary level of service and dedication to 
others.
  The Elmira-Corning native dedicated his early years to service in his 
community by volunteer firefighting. He went on to complete his 
undergraduate career at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York. 
He would later receive his master of divinity and master of arts from 
Saint Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York. Father DeSocio was 
ultimately ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1978. Father was also 
chaplain for Ithaca College.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1992, which I am very proud of, Father DeSocio was 
commissioned in the U.S. Navy and served 17 years before being 
honorably discharged in 2009.
  Following his military service, Father returned to his hometown and 
resumed working with groups like Lions International, the Knights of 
Columbus, and the Southport and Elmira volunteer fire departments.
  He is a pillar in our community, Mr. Speaker, and we are tremendously 
honored to have him with us here today.

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