[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING REVEREND ARCHIE E. BARRINGER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Hayes) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Reverend Archie 
Barringer and to thank him for being here today to deliver this 
morning's prayer.
  Reverend Barringer has dedicated his life to serving his country as a 
soldier, his fellow soldiers and veterans, his community, and most 
importantly the Lord.
  I would like to thank all of our military chaplains for the 
exceptional service and spiritual guidance to our soldiers, veterans, 
and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, many of our veterans of Christian faith are complaining 
that they are being religiously disenfranchised by the VA's effort to 
neutralize chapels, services, and memorials. Reverend Barringer has 
spoken out against what he feels are overly aggressive practices and 
guidelines, in fact. He resigned rather than implement what he felt 
were discriminatory policies.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that his presence here today will help 
raise awareness of these issues so that we may preserve the tenets and 
principles that have served as the religious foundation for so many of 
our veterans for so many years.

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