[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Welcoming the Guest Chaplain

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I have the privilege to speak briefly 
about my friend, Bishop Larry Brandon, who opened up the Senate with 
prayer. I feel like, with all these pastors--you and Chaplain Barry 
Black and Bishop Brandon--he is also a remarkable man who has a church 
in Shreveport, LA, and also in Oakland, CA.
  I say: How do you do it?
  He goes: Every other week.
  He regards his ministry not just to the soul but also to the body. I 
say that as a doctor, recognizing how the two can be intertwined.
  When I first met him, he was about twice as big as he is now. We saw 
each other at breakfast, and I said: Bishop, you lost weight, man?
  He said: I am glad you noticed. Eight-five pounds. If you don't 
notice 85 pounds, boy, are you blind.
  He has done that not only for his own health but for the physical, 
emotional, and spiritual health of his congregation.
  We know I am a doctor. At times, people slip off that diet. We are in 
Louisiana; so you always have good food.
  He says: We never condemn; we never condone. We just always support.
  I am speaking about his ministry to their health and also his 
ministry to their spirit. When we in this Congress adopt that--we don't 
condemn each other, we don't condone bad behavior, but we work together 
to support one another for the betterment of our physical, our 
emotional, and spiritual health--that is a tribute to our bishop.
  Thank you.
  I yield the floor.