[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 4128]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 MOURNING THE LOSS OF POPE SHENOUDA III

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, on March 17, the world lost a great 
spiritual leader, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I rise today to join 
the millions of Coptic Christians in mourning his death.
  This past Sunday, St. Mary Coptic Church in East Brunswick, New 
Jersey, held a very moving memorial service for the Pope. An estimated 
1,000 mourners gathered in the cathedral while a thousand more listened 
to the service in nearby rooms.
  There was an outpouring of grief from people of all faiths. Leaders 
from many religions and sects were in attendance to pay homage to the 
Pope, including His Grace Bishop David, the Bishop of the Archdiocese 
of North America.
  As we mourn the loss of a great leader and purveyor of faith and 
religious tolerance, we remember and embrace all that the Pope has done 
for the Coptic community in Egypt and around the world. The beloved 
leader of the Coptic Christian church has provided immeasurable 
contributions to further promote tolerance and interfaith dialogue in 
Egypt and serves as an example of how communities of different faiths 
can live in harmony.
  As Egypt continues its transition, Egyptian leaders must work 
together to uphold the rights of all religious communities in Egypt and 
end all discrimination.

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