[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4919]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I rise to welcome Bishop Swain to the U.S. 
Senate. On behalf of myself, my colleague from South Dakota who is 
currently presiding over the Senate, and thousands of grateful 
believers in South Dakota, I thank Bishop Swain for his service to our 
Lord and to our communities of faith.
  Bishop Swain was sworn in as the eighth bishop of the Catholic 
Diocese of Sioux Falls in late 2006, but his journey of faith and 
service to his country began far before that. Paul Joseph Swain was 
born in Newark, NY, and is one of eight children.
  After graduating from Northern Ohio University with a degree in 
history and earning his master's at the University of Wisconsin, Bishop 
Swain joined the Air Force as an intelligence officer. He served our 
Nation in the Vietnam war, where he earned a Bronze Star.
  Bishop Swain should feel right at home on the floor of the U.S. 
Senate because after serving in Vietnam, he tried his hand in politics. 
He completed his law degree and went on to work on the campaign and in 
the administration of Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus, who served as the 
Governor of Wisconsin until 1983.
  After a short stint in politics, Bishop Swain answered a much higher 
calling. He was received into the Catholic Church, graduated divinity 
school in 1988, and entered the priesthood. Years of dedicated pastoral 
work ensued in the Diocese of Madison, WI, and a decade ago we were 
truly blessed when Pope Benedict named him bishop of Sioux Falls.
  On the day of his ordination, Archbishop Flynn gave the homily at 
high mass. He noticed that as successors to the apostles, the service 
of bishops is to spread the word of God and promote the sanctity of 
their flock. Bishop Swain has never forgotten that counsel. He 
understands that the church has a role to play in the public square, 
particularly on moral issues. He never shies away from the challenges 
facing the poor and disenfranchised, and he never hesitates to stand 
for values that protect life and family. He is a pillar of our 
community and a spiritual leader to over 100,000 Catholics in East 
River, SD.
  Bishop Swain's episcopal motto is to ``Give praise to the Lord.'' 
Today we are giving praise for Bishop Swain's unwavering devotion to 
the word of the Lord and to the service of His people.
  I thank the bishop for joining us today.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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