Remarks by Monsignor Craig Harrison and Congressman McCarthy on the House Floor PDF Print E-mail

Today, Monsignor Craig Harrison of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bakersfield gave the opening invocation on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Text and video of the invocation and of Congressman McCarthy's floor speech thanking Monsignor Craig for his presence is below: 

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TRANSCRIPT:

Speaker Boehner: The House will be in order. The prayer will be offered today by the guest chaplain Monsignor Craig Harrison from the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bakersfield, California.

Monsignor Craig Harrison: Let us pray. Gracious and loving God we are grateful for the gifts and blessings you have shown our nation. Be with those who are suffering the devastation of the storms that we have experienced, and help us as a nation to respond.

Bless the women and men gathered here who are called to protect and serve the people of the United States. Watch over and bless all those who serve our nation abroad and guide the Members of this Congress, that their work today will reflect Your love and compassion and guide our nation to be a leader in justice and peace. We pray this in the name of the One who created us in love. Amen.

Speaker Boehner: The Chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announced to the House his approval thereof, and pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 1, the journal stands approved. Pledge of Allegiance will be led today by the Gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Sires.

Rep. Sires: If you would all join me in saluting our flag.

[Pledge of Allegiance]

Speaker Boehner: The Chair will entertain up to 15 one-minute requests on each side. What purpose does the Gentleman from California rise?

Rep. McCarthy: I would like to address the House for one minute.

Speaker Boehner: Without objection.

Rep. McCarthy: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I am honored to welcome Monsignor Craig from Bakersfield, California and appreciate that he was able to be here today to open up our floor session with the invocation. It's great to have a fellow Bakersfield High School Driller here on the floor with me.

Since he returned to Bakersfield in 1999 to be the Pastor of his hometown Parish, Monsignor Craig has had a profound positive impact on the lives of the thousands in our community. The fact that the number of families in his Parish has increased by over 5,000 and the enrollment in the Parish school has doubled is a testament to his leadership in our community. He's more than just a faith leader. He is the author of a children's book. He is a faith leader to many of us throughout the community. And on a personal note, he was a faith leader to my father as he battled his fight with cancer.

Monsignor Craig is a true friend to the Bakersfield community and I appreciate that he was able to share his words of wisdom here on the House floor.  And I yield back.