[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5355]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE MEMORY OF METROPOLITAN PHILIP SALIBA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2014

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of 
Metropolitan Philip Saliba. His Eminence Metropolitan Philip was the 
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America since 
1966.
  Born in Lebanon, Metropolitan Philip led the American Antiochian 
Orthodox church through the latter half of the twentieth century and 
ushered the church into the new millennium before passing away this 
past March. Throughout his life, he continually ministered to the 
faithful and was a prominent voice for peace and compassion in the 
Middle East. Where others doubted he projected hope and met each 
challenge with determination and courage.
  Metropolitan Philip's deep faith led him to always serve and place 
others before himself, whether it was the President of the United 
States or a member of the church. His legacy of stewardship includes 
helping the Arab Christian community adapt to life in America while 
still retaining and sharing their deep, rich roots with their new 
communities. His leadership also allowed the church to expand and saw 
the number of parishes quadruple. In an age of declining church 
attendance his spirit nurtured growth.
  Metropolitan Philip will be remembered foremost as a man of God as 
well as a uniter, theologian, author, humanitarian and a warm friend. 
Over the years Metropolitan Philip has been very good to me along with 
countless others. I am deeply saddened by his death and my thoughts and 
prayers go out to his family and all of those who have been blessed to 
have him as part of their lives.
  Both the church and the country have lost an individual who possessed 
a deep and enduring faith, who passionately advocated for those in need 
and stood up for what he believed in.
  Mr. Speaker, I close with the sentiment that the greatest way to 
honor Metropolitan Philip's legacy would be to emulate the manner in 
which he lived his life, which stands as a testament to a calling 
devoted to others.

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