[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       WELCOMING REV. JOHN CROSBY

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Ramstad) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, it is my special privilege to welcome 
today's guest chaplain, Senior Pastor John Crosby of Christ 
Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota.
  On behalf of the entire House of Representatives, thank you, John, 
for your moving and timely prayer, and for serving as guest chaplain 
today.
  Madam Speaker, the Reverend John Crosby is a true servant-leader who 
personifies faith, compassion and service to those less fortunate. He 
is a true man of God.
  Pastor Crosby has been at Christ Presbyterian Church, one of the most 
dynamic and vibrant faith communities in the Twin Cities, since 1989.
  John and his wife, Laura, came to Minnesota from Washington, DC, 
where they ministered at the National Presbyterian Church. They have 
two daughters, Maggie, who is a junior at Denver University, and Katy 
who worked as a congressional intern in my Washington office and is now 
working here in Washington for Bread for the World. Knowing Katy as I 
do, I can personally testify to the wonderful job John and Laura have 
done in raising their outstanding daughters, and I am pleased that 
Laura and Katy are here today in the Speaker's gallery to see their 
husband and father deliver the opening prayer.
  Madam Speaker, Pastor Crosby is a thoughtful and caring person who 
applies his faith to daily life and the major issues of the day. He is 
very interested and involved in policy matters, and he has been a 
trusted adviser throughout my 18 years here in Congress. John Crosby 
also has experience working in the United States Senate for former 
Chaplain Richard Halvorsen.
  Our Twin Cities community is truly blessed by Pastor Crosby's strong 
and principled leadership, as well as his inspiring commitment to help 
people in need.
  Under Reverend Crosby's tenure, the youth program and community 
outreach at Christ Presbyterian Church have grown exponentially, and 
have been a great asset, a great resource for our community at large. 
Over a thousand young people are involved in the youth program at 
Christ Presbyterian Church. And I will never forget when that youth 
group lost one of its own in a car accident a number of years ago, a 
beautiful young woman whose family I knew well, and a thousand young 
people from that church gathered spontaneously that Sunday night at the 
church, and John led them in prayer.
  Pastor Crosby is a man of God who lives out the Biblical command to 
love God, love others and serve the least amongst us, and I am proud 
and grateful to call him my friend.
  Thank you again, John, for serving the House of Representatives today 
and for doing the Lord's work here on the Earth each and every day.

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