[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11191]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MONSIGNOR EDWARD JORDAN

  (Mr. McCAUL of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
great man, a man of God, a man of faith, a man who has devoted his 
entire career, indeed his entire life, to the service of his fellow 
man.
  Monsignor Edward Jordan, who offered this morning's prayer for the 
House of Representatives, is revered, admired, and loved by all in his 
congregation and by all those whose life he has touched. He is the 
voice and shepherd of our parish at St. John Neumann's Catholic Church 
in Austin, Texas.
  Born in Springfield, Ohio, Monsignor Jordan entered the priesthood 
after receiving his doctorate in theology from the Angelicum University 
in Rome. From there he served and strengthened the Catholic Church and 
its flock in central Texas for over four decades.
  It has been a great privilege to call Monsignor Jordan my pastor. And 
everyone who knows him experiences the true message of Christ. In his 
words and in his deeds, and above all, in his heart, his example is a 
beacon of light which draws us all closer to the Creator. His faith and 
devotion to the life of Christ is an inspiration to us all.
  Both as a candidate and as a Member of Congress, Monsignor Jordan 
gave me the spiritual guidance and taught me the true meaning of 
sacrifice and public service. He baptized my triplets, not an easy 
accomplishment, and he administered the Sacrament of Holy Communion to 
my oldest daughters.
  And while his retirement this Sunday marks the end of one spiritual 
journey, it also marks the beginning of another.
  As you move on from your official role within the Church, you will 
always remain our shepherd, our spiritual leader, and, above all, our 
friend. Monsignor Jordan, I know that I speak for all of us in the 
Catholic community when I say that we will miss you, but we know that 
you will always be there for your flock.
  I am reminded of the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus said, ``Let your 
light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify 
your Father who is in heaven.'' May the peace of Christ be with you and 
may He hold you in the palm of his hand.

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