Appreciating the Presence and Contributions of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Floor Speech

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Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude towards His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Archbishop of Constantinople and spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity worldwide, for his time spent in our Nation's Capital last week. On behalf of the strong Eastern Orthodox community I represent in Michigan's 11th Congressional District, I enthusiastically congratulate His All-Holiness on receiving the 2025 Templeton Award.

This award underscores his ground-breaking environmental advocacy and unique ability to merge both scientific and spiritual discourses. His All-Holiness has exemplified a sense of responsibility towards coming generations: to preserve, protect, and promote the health of the planet on which we are honored to live.

Beyond his environmental advocacy, His All-Holiness has been an unwavering pillar in support of intersectionality, working to foster relations between devotees of Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. He has been relentless in his pursuit to prevent violence on the basis of religion, to ensure the humane treatment of all, and to join hands across the world in seeking peace and justice.

In Oakland County, we are blessed with a thriving Orthodox Christian community. As their Representative in Congress, I am thrilled His All- Holiness joined us in Washington, D.C., last week. His visit reminds us to be constantly kind and collaborative, one that is much needed during this time.

Please join me in thanking His All-Holiness for his visit and congratulating him on this well-deserved award.

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