[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18150-18151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING FATHER JOSEPH WEITENSTEINER

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2006

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father 
Joseph Weitensteiner in honor of his retirement after almost 50 years 
of service to the Morning Star Boys Ranch. Through his dedication to 
the Morning Star Boys Ranch, and the greater Spokane community, nearly 
1,300 boys have benefited from the care and oversight he has given them 
through the services offered by the ranch.
  Father Weitensteiner's career began in 1957 when he became the 
ranch's first counselor. After completing studies for the priesthood,

[[Page 18151]]

Father Joe was ordained on May 14, 1966, and was soon named Morning 
Star director. As director of the Morning Star Boys Ranch, many 
recognized Father Joe as the reason why the ranch has earned an 
excellent reputation for turning around the lives of hundreds of young 
men.
  Throughout his five decades of service, Father Joe has not only been 
recognized for his leadership by his colleagues and Morning Star 
alumni, but has also been honored by numerous civic, educational, 
legal, and child care entities.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Father Joseph Weitensteiner 
for his leadership in our community and to thank him for the 
significant role he has played in mentoring and leading the many young 
men who have lived at the Morning Star Boys Ranch. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating Father Joe as he celebrates 
nearly 50 years of exceptional service to our community.

                          ____________________