[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18239]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it was a great honor to have Father Gregoire 
Fluet, my parish priest in East Haddam, CT, provide the opening prayer 
this morning. I thank him immensely for his words. Reaching back to 
Archbishop Carroll was a wonderful way to begin the session.
  Father Fluet is not only my parish priest, Mr. President. He is a 
dear friend and practically a member of my extended family. Father 
Fluet and I first met nearly 30 years ago when he was pastor of St. 
Joseph's Church in North Grosvenordale, CT. Since his appointment in 
1998 as pastor of my home parish, Saint Bridget of Kildare in East 
Haddam, Father Fluet has been an important figure in my life, providing 
spiritual advice and counsel to me on a number of occasions. Father 
Fluet has also played an important role in the lives of my two 
daughters, Grace and Christina. He baptized both of them after they 
were born, and provided religious instruction and first communion to my 
older daughter, Grace.
  In addition to being a great spiritual leader, Father Fluet has long 
dedicated himself to the study of our Nation's history and particularly 
to the history of New England. Ever the consummate scholar, Father 
Fluet was awarded a doctorate in American History by Clark University 
in 2002, taught Western Civilization and World History as an adjunct 
professor at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, CT, and 
even published a history of the Diocese of Norwich.
  But beyond his love of history, Father Fluet has always, first and 
foremost, demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to his flock and the 
people of our community. He is a wonderful human being, and I am 
confident that Saint Bridget of Kildare will continue to be blessed for 
years to come by Father Fluet's dedicated spiritual leadership.
  Once again, I would like to reiterate what a true honor it has been 
to listen to Father Fluet's words this morning. Thank you for taking 
the time to be here today, Father Fluet. But most of all, thank you for 
everything you have done over the years for the people of our 
community.

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