Mariannette Miller-Meeks: “I rise today to recognize His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is the spiritual leader and the…”

“I rise today to recognize His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is the spiritual leader and the ``primus inter pares''; ``first among equals'' of Greek Orthodox Christianity worldwide, a church of over 300 million people. His All-Holiness is visiting the United States to receive the Templeton Prize, the world's most prestigious award in religion and science. I congratulate His All-Holiness on this amazing achievement. I know people in Iowa are extending that congratulations, and I welcome him to the United States.”