[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO BISHOP ROBERT J. CARLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to The Most 
Reverend Robert J. Carlson on his installation as the fifth bishop of 
the Diocese of Saginaw.
  During this penitential and traditionally solemn season of Lent, this 
is by contrast a day of celebration and reason to give thanks for God's 
many blessings.
  We are thankful that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, led Bishop 
Carlson to Saginaw, and we are grateful to Bishop Carlson for saying 
yes to that call.
  God has chosen Bishop Carlson to come to Saginaw. By giving us a new 
bishop, God has revealed a powerful sign that we are not alone in this 
journey. As we prepare for the Easter celebration, we pray that God 
will act through Bishop Carlson to change our hearts and help us be 
more faithful servants.
  Bishop Carlson has been a strong advocate for the underserved. We are 
called to serve the poor and defend the weak from the strong. In that 
respect, I also appreciate Bishop Carlson's strong support for life, 
from the beginning until its natural end. We hope that Bishop Carlson's 
example of faith in God will inspire not just Catholics but people of 
all faiths and even non-religious backgrounds to seek the Truth.
  As the members of the community of believers in Saginaw, we offer our 
prayers and congratulations to Bishop Carlson as he starts his ministry 
in mid-Michigan.
  For the many Catholics I represent in Michigan's Fourth Congressional 
District, may God lead and guide you and the Saginaw Diocese to do His 
will.

                          ____________________