[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 7071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  WELCOMING MONSIGNOR GEORGE B. FLINN

  (Mr. SHUSTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank, honor and express my 
sincere appreciation for Monsignor George Flinn, our guest chaplain. 
Reverend Flinn, originally from Cresson, Pennsylvania, and as we say 
back home, up the mountain, has dedicated his life to faith and 
community outreach. His service has made the Altoona-Johnstown area a 
better place to live because of his commitment to our local parishes.
  Reverend Flinn has been assigned to a number of churches in central 
Pennsylvania, including Sacred Heart and Saint Rose of Lima in Altoona, 
and Saint Monica of Chest Springs. Most notable to me, though, is his 
service at Saint John Gualbert, where he organized a major campaign to 
renovate the interior walls of the cathedral.
  This drive became known as ``This is Our Church,'' while Monsignor 
Flinn uniquely reached out to local businesses, community leaders and 
the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. This type of outreach has truly made 
our neighborhoods and small towns a much better place and a more 
memorable place. His story is a reminder to us all to take a moment 
from our busy schedules to help others and reach out to the community.
  As we mourn the passing of Pope John Paul and celebrate the 
appointment of Pope Benedict, we should also commend and thank our 
local church leaders like Monsignor Flinn, because their hard work is 
truly making our Nation a better place to live.

                          ____________________