Welcoming Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Floor Speech

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Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I rise today to extend a warm welcome to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian Church. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will travel to Washington this week to receive the prestigious Templeton Prize, recognizing exceptional contributions to the fields of science and religion. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is widely known as the ``Green Patriarch'' for his longstanding commitment to protecting the environment. He has organized several international, interfaith summits to address some of the world's most pressing environmental problems. In his own wise words, ``We must respond in an opportune manner to protect life on earth from the worst consequences of human recklessness. May God grant us the wisdom to act promptly.'' Thank you to His All- Holiness for emphatically voicing moral urgency on the climate crisis.

I would also like to honor the many contributions of Orthodox Christians to America, with a special recognition to the parishioners of the Church of the Annunciation in Cranston, RI. Last week this parish, with Father Andrew George, Father Nicholas Lanzourakis, Charlie Samaras, Denise Panichas, and other proud parishioners, celebrated a touchstone of Rhode Island summers, the Church's 39th annual Cranston Greek Festival. Thank you for all that you have done for the Cranston community and the State of Rhode Island.

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