On the recordApril 21, 2010
I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts and the authors of this resolution honoring our Chaplain, Father Daniel Coughlin. Mr. Speaker, when I think of Father Coughlin coming to the House, I think of the moment 10 years ago when our previous Chaplain had retired and the Speaker and the Minority Leader appointed a committee to come up with a recommendation. There was some turmoil that was a part of that. But I have always believed that the Spirit's hand was in this. And who came forward but Father Coughlin from Chicago? Everyone has spoken about what he did before he came here. But essentially, Father Coughlin was a parish priest. And so from all of the experience that he had in tending that flock, he came to tend a new one, and that is the United States House of Representatives. And tend this flock he has. As Mr. Sensenbrenner said, there are many constituents that have asked why does the United States House of Representatives need a Chaplain? Look up above the Speaker's chair. It says, 'In God we trust.' But many times what happens to human beings really shakes that trust. So the Chaplain of the House is the one that tends to each one. How important that is in not only the dark times, the dark periods in individuals' lives where they need the spiritual guidance, the support, the love, the quiet time, the trust with someone that will never break that trust. That is what Father Coughlin has done on an individual basis with Members throughout the House.
