[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18994]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   WELCOMING REVEREND BRYAN THIESSEN

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Murphy) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce 
today's guest chaplain, Pastor Bryan Thiessen of the Journey Assembly 
of God Church in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.
  Since the first House chaplain was elected by Congress in 1789, it 
has been tradition for a prayer to open the House's daily floor 
proceedings, and I thank the Office of the Chaplain and the Reverend 
Patrick Conroy for allowing Pastor Bryan Thiessen to have the 
opportunity to continue this tradition and lead us in prayer.
  Pastor Thiessen joined the Bridgeville community in April of 2011, 
along with his wife, CaRanda Thiessen, and has been a driving force in 
improving the community since the moment he stepped foot in 
southwestern Pennsylvania. During Pastor Thiessen's tenure, he has seen 
his parish grow in size, which can directly be attributed to the 
exceptional work he has done in leading his church. He has also been 
elected president of the Bridgeville Ministers Association, where he 
leads Bridgeville-area churches, nonprofit organizations, and community 
outreach events. He also serves as the Christian education director of 
the Southwest Metro section of the Assemblies of God. As director, 
Pastor Thiessen guides 35 churches in Christian education programs and 
ministries in the southwestern Pennsylvania region.
  I especially thank Pastor Thiessen and members of his parish for 
making the trip to Washington this morning. The House is very pleased 
to have all of them, and we are excited to hear the words of the Lord 
he has chosen to share with us today.

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