[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    GUEST CHAPLAIN REV. THAD AUSTIN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it was a great honor to have the 
Reverend Thad Austin, of the First United Methodist Church in 
Murfreesboro, TN, provide the opening prayer this morning. I thank him 
for his wise words. Remembering the St. Patrick in St. Patrick's Day 
was a wonderful way to begin the session.
  I first met the Reverend Austin at his alma mater, Asbury University 
in Wilmore, KY, when I visited there in 2007. Asbury University's 
mission is to engage the world and serve the Word through public 
service. Our guest Chaplain today has pursued that mission with great 
success.
  Maybe it is a family calling. The Reverend Austin's grandfather, Dr. 
Edward U. Austin, was an admiral in the U.S. Navy who volunteered 
overseas as a medical missionary. His father, Stephen B. Austin, is a 
doctor who cares for our Nation's veterans.
  They taught Thad that it was important to serve others--that in a 
nation that so generously provides what many in other parts of the 
world do not enjoy, it is important to give back.
  The Reverend Austin has taken that advice very much to heart. He is 
still a young man, but he has accomplished a great deal. And he is not 
one to look back with pride on where he has been, but rather, look 
forward to all that he has left to do.
  The Reverend Austin earned his degrees from Asbury University and the 
Asbury Theological Seminary, and he has also studied at Oxford 
University and the Wesley Theological Seminary here in the Nation's 
Capital. He is the pastor of congregational care at the First United 
Methodist Church, as well as a commissioned Elder there.
  The Reverend Austin has preached in England, South Korea, and Mexico 
as well as in Kentucky, Tennessee, and several other States, and 
provided spiritual guidance and volunteer work in Mexico, Guatemala, 
Kentucky, and Tennessee. And while he has clearly gone on to do bigger 
and bolder things, let me also note that in 2009 he served as an intern 
in my office.
  ADM Edward Austin, whose grandson has just addressed the Senate 
Chamber, is buried at Arlington. Our own Senate Chaplain Barry Black, 
also a Navy admiral, delivered his interment service. And I know 
Chaplain Black is just as pleased to have the Reverend Austin here with 
us today as I am.
  Once again let me say it was a true honor to listen to the Reverend 
Austin's words this morning. I want to thank him for taking time from 
his important work to be here. And I thank him for his lifetime of 
service to his community and our Nation.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I join Senator McConnell in welcoming 
Reverend Austin from Murfreesboro, TN, just down the road from 
Nashville. He formerly worked here, as Senator McConnell said. We are 
delighted he has this privilege today to pray at the beginning of the 
Senate, which is something that has happened since the beginning of the 
Senate, since the very first days of the Senate. I thank him for taking 
his time to be here. Welcome.
  Mr. President, will the Chair let me know when I have consumed 8 
minutes?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Yes.

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