[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15863]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     WELCOMING REV. JAMES ROUSAKIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome a good friend 
and inspired leader from Tampa Bay, Father James Rousakis of Holy 
Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida.
  I have known Father James for nearly 20 years and have become a big 
admirer of him, as well as his wonderful wife, Presvytera Vasiliki, an 
incredible woman who is just as much a leader at Holy Trinity Greek 
Orthodox Church as Father James.
  When I asked Father James what compelled him to a life in the church 
when he was on a completely different career path at age 23, he said he 
was attending Holy Thursday church services during Easter and a 
compelling voice said over his left shoulder, ``You need to be here 
every day!'' Listening to that voice, Father James became ordained as a 
priest in 1971, and the rest is history.
  He has served the Orthodox faithful in Rochester, New York; Atlanta, 
Georgia; Portland, Maine; Indianapolis; and now Clearwater Florida. As 
Vicar of the Tampa Bay Greek Orthodox Church for the Metropolis of 
Atlanta, Father James Rousakis will begin his 18th year of pastorship 
in my district. With his boundless energy, Father James has helped to 
foster incredible growth in the membership and ministries at Holy 
Trinity.
  Madam Speaker, I wish Father James many more years of compassionate 
and enlightened service in the Tampa Bay area, and am glad that he 
didn't ignore that profound voice 45 years ago.
  Welcome, Father James.

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