[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22931]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, first, I note my dear friend of over 30 
years, the distinguished senior Senator from Alaska, is in the chair, 
the President pro tempore of the Senate. I note that the President pro 
tempore showed his usual courtesy, instead of taking the chair 
initially to open the session, as he would, to allow me to do so to 
introduce my brother-in-law, Father Claude Pomerleau.
  I also note that our distinguished Chaplain, Dr. Barry Black, is 
here. I thank the Chaplain for his cooperation in making sure that 
Father Pomerleau could open the session.
  Of course, I thank the distinguished majority leader, Senator Frist, 
and the distinguished Democratic leader, Senator Reid.
  Mr. President, I note that Father Pomerleau is a very close member of 
our family. He is probably not used to hearing me call him Father 
Pomerleau; it has always been Claude. He was on the altar--not yet a 
priest but in the seminary--when my wife Marcelle and I were married 
slightly over 43 years ago. And 40 years ago this December, the two of 
us were able to be with his wonderful parents, Phil and Cecile 
Pomerleau, at his ordination in Rome--a very proud time for his 
parents, certainly a proud time for Claude, but also a very proud time 
for Marcelle and me.
  He has been, in many ways, our spiritual light and friend all these 
years. He is very much a brother to me, as he is to Marcelle. I have 
had the privilege one other time to have him as visiting Chaplain. And 
in my 31 years in the Senate, those two times stand out as highlights 
in my career.
  So again I thank the distinguished Senator from Alaska for showing 
his usual courtesy, and, of course, I cherish our friendship of over 
three decades.
  With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Georgia is recognized.

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