[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I rise to speak of Pastor Steve Berger. It 
moves me to hear his voice echoing throughout this Chamber. He is one 
of the preeminent spiritual leaders in our Nation. He prays daily with 
his wife Sarah, who happens to be in the Chamber.
  He prays daily for our Nation. There is a purity of his mission in 
leading a church that is making a difference in our State, and I think 
making a difference in our country, leading efforts not only here but 
around the world to bring people together, and I am so thrilled this 
Chamber and the people of our country are able to witness someone who I 
believe to be one of the greatest spiritual leaders in our Nation.
  I only hope more people would be able to hear from him. Truly, it is 
a very moving moment for me to have a friend like Steve Berger, who 
means so much to our State and country, before us. I thank him for his 
willingness to do this.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I welcome Steve Berger and thank 
Senator Corker for arranging for him to be here today. Steve is, 
indeed, one of our most distinguished Tennesseans. We welcome his 
family and some of his friends who are with us in the Gallery.
  Chaplain Barry Black has reminded us that this tradition of opening 
the Senate with a prayer has been with us since the Senate began, and 
the Senate has had a Chaplain before the First Amendment to our 
Constitution was adopted. This tradition is an essential part of the 
American character, and having Steve Berger here to help us celebrate 
that essential part of the American character is a very special moment 
for me as well as for Senator Corker.

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