On the recordFebruary 27, 2014
Mr. Speaker, El Paso, Texas, has a rich and vast history spanning back hundreds of years. With the Ysleta Mission established in the 1600s, it has deep roots in Catholicism, but it wasn't until 1914 that the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso was established by Pope Pius X. On March 3, the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The diocese provides invaluable and multilingual services to 10 counties covering nearly 27,000 miles of southwest Texas. From the historic missions Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario, through the Davis Mountains, and on to the Big Bend country, the diocese is rich in history. While these three missions are a focal point of the 100th birthday celebration, all the churches in the diocese play a critical role in their respective communities and, through these historic missions and the far-flung churches where priests and nuns still ride the circuit, the Diocese of El Paso has a profound impact on young and old alike. As a member of the Diocese of El Paso, I wish them great success over the next 100 years. Feliz cumpleanos. Happy Birthday. ____________________





