[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 254-255]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CHAPLAIN DR. BARRY C. BLACK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, while the Chaplain is in the building, I 
wish to say a brief word. I have the good fortune--and have for many 
years--to come to the floor every day and listen to a prayer offered in 
sincerity by our Chaplain. The people who watch us on TV think that all 
he does is walk in here every day and give a little prayer. The fact 
is, I received information on the things he did this past year.
  He represented the Senate in 27 out-of-town speaking engagements. 
Those speaking engagements are tremendous. He has been in Nevada on a 
number of occasions. He is a tremendous presenter of what he does and 
what is good for the country. He delivered the invocation and/or 
benediction to 17 different ceremonies. He spoke at 10 different Senate 
functions. He visited with 20 different school groups who came to visit 
the Capitol. He delivered the invocation at 12 local events. He spoke 
at 26 local events. He hosted 11 guest Chaplains. He hosted three 
Jewish programs. He administered premarital and marriage-enrichment 
counseling. He mentored 20 Senate staffers in a recurring, 10-week 
spiritual mentoring program. He facilitated the Wednesday morning 
weekly Prayer Breakfast. He hosted two men's Prayer Breakfasts for 
Senate staff featuring Os Guinness and Michael Franzese as guest 
speakers. He hosted a special program at Easter, our 20th annual 
Thanksgiving service, and a holiday open house for the Senate 
community.
  He prayed on the Senate floor for the convening of most Senate 
sessions. He taught 44 Bible studies for approximately 150 Senate 
staff. He taught 44 Bible studies for approximately 15 staff in the 
Postal Square Building. He taught 40 Bible studies for the Senators in 
Senator Inhofe's Capitol office. He taught 44 Bible studies for 15 
chiefs of staff. He engaged in hospital visitations on frequent 
occasions and gave weekly updates about the sick and injured at the 
Senate Prayer Breakfast. He delivered the eulogy for former Senator 
Edward Brook at the National Cathedral. He spoke at memorial services 
and funerals for various Senate staff members. He ministered to Senate 
office staff members during times of grief. He spoke to Senate staff 
during staff meetings.
  That is not all. In relation to his activities and duties, he hosted 
a ladies' small group Bible study every Monday, consisting of Senate 
staff. He had a small group of men consisting of Capitol police 
officers and other Senate staff for Bible study every Wednesday.
  Mr. President, everyone should know that he does more than give this 
prayer opening the Senate every day. In fact, if that was all he did, 
it would be well worth the functions of the Senate Chaplain, but he 
does much more. I congratulate him and express the appreciation of the 
entire Senate for the good work and good representations

[[Page 255]]

this fine man does representing our country. Remember, he is a retired 
admiral of the U.S. Navy.

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