[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21049]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  WELCOMING THE REVEREND JOHN J. RYAN

  (Mr. MICA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, this morning, it is my distinct pleasure and 
really and truly an honor to welcome father John J. Ryan to the United 
States House of Representatives.
  Father Ryan is the pastor of St. Brendan Roman Catholic Church in 
Ormond Beach, Florida, which is part of my district. He is a member of 
the presbyterate of the Diocese of Orlando and has served as a priest 
for 30 years.
  Originally from New Jersey, Father Ryan has spent the majority of his 
priesthood ministering in the Orlando diocese.
  Father Ryan has been a forerunner in the civic and ecumenical 
communities. In 2002, he gathered over 2,000 people of various faiths 
to mark the first anniversary of September 11.
  In this service, he assembled Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, 
and Orthodox religious leaders at his parish as well as representatives 
of every part of the civic community, from mayors, police chiefs, fire 
chiefs and every branch of the military service.
  Father Ryan is no stranger to bringing together people of every race 
and every religion to share their common bond as members of the human 
society. He embodies the perfect blend of civic pride and religious 
faith.
  Mr. Speaker, the Congress of the United States is privileged and 
honored today by the visit of a humble and great man, Father John J. 
Ryan of Ormond Beach, Florida.

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