[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     INTRODUCTION OF GUEST CHAPLAIN

  (Ms. DUNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure I rise today to recognize 
Pastor Samuel Thomas, Jr. Pastor Thomas led the Congress in our opening 
prayer this morning.
  In reflecting on his uplifting words for our country, I would like to 
give you a brief glimpse of Pastor Thomas' contribution to our society.
  Pastor Thomas was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in 
Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a teacher, a student, a broadcaster, a 
banker, a husband and, perhaps most importantly, a wonderful father to 
his two children, Samuel and Christine.
  His life's journey has included teaching new ministerial students at 
his alma mater in Huntsville, Alabama and co-producing a television 
broadcast that airs around the world. In addition, he serves his 
community as senior pastor of Capitol City Seventh Day Adventist Church 
in Sacramento, California.
  When I met Pastor Thomas, he had flown to Seattle, Washington, to 
preside over funeral services for my next-door neighbor and very dear 
friend George Erickson. His compelling testimony of his own life and 
his kindness and strength at a painful time touched us all. I want not 
only to welcome Pastor Samuel Thomas and thank him for his prayer 
today, but I also want to thank him for serving as such an exemplary 
role model to all of us who seek to be both compassionate and strong.

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