[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     WELCOMING REVEREND THOMAS KOYS

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Lipinski) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce our guest 
chaplain this morning, Father Thomas Koys, pastor of St. James at Sag 
Bridge Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Fitting for a pastor who 
loves American history, St. James was founded in 1833 and has a 
historic church building completed in 1858.
  A longtime Chicagoland resident, Father Koys attended St. Mary 
Elementary in Riverside, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and 
Niles College Seminary at Loyola University. He went on to receive two 
master's degrees from Catholic University of America and from 
University of St. Mary of the Lake.
  Father Koys was ordained in 1985 and has become an important voice in 
the Catholic community. In 2002, he authored ``The Ashes That Still 
Remain'' and also hosts a radio show on Winds of Change Radio in 
Chicago.
  He learned to speak Spanish while on a 4-month mission in Guerrero, 
Mexico. Father Koys' Spanish is very much welcomed in ministering to 
the large Spanish-speaking population in the Chicago Archdiocese.
  In the Archdiocese, he is also very active in advocating for life and 
for family issues, and is involved in leading the Catholic 
Professionals of Illinois.
  An avid cyclist, Father Koys has participated in numerous cycling 
fundraisers to fight multiple sclerosis, which has affected his 
brother, John.
  This afternoon, I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Father 
Koys to the House of Representatives, and thank him for serving today 
as our guest chaplain.

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