Dan Coats: “we were privileged to be led in our opening prayer today by Reverend Dr. Neal Jones, a fancy title for some of us who…”

“we were privileged to be led in our opening prayer today by Reverend Dr. Neal Jones, a fancy title for some of us who know him as ``Pastor Jones.'' I think ``pastor'' is probably the most affectionate and endearing term that anyone can come up with in terms of someone that they feel close to and have had a relationship with. People know the Reverend Dr. Neal Jones as Pastor Jones because of his dedicated service as pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Virginia, for many, many years. He has been pastor to me and my family, the majority leader and his family, the President pro tempore and his family, and others of our colleagues in both the Senate and the House. ``Pastor'' is the appropriate word because of his love and his affection and his endearment that he has displayed toward us and our families. And we feel exactly the same way about him. Dr. Jones is a graduate of Texas Christian University, and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been pastor of churches in Texas, but the primary focus of his ministry has been with Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Virginia going back as far as March of 1969. He is currently retired. It is a loss to the people who have attended faithfully over the years Columbia Baptist Church.”