Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 112 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 112 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 158 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 No. 61 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was U.S. SENATE, lain, Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood called to order by the Honorable TOM PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, Church in Houston. He is a native UDALL, a Senator from the State of Washington, DC, April 26, 2012. Texan and attended Oral Roberts Uni- New Mexico. To the Senate: versity in Tulsa, OK. Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby For 17 years, Pastor Osteen worked PRAYER appoint the Honorable TOM UDALL, a Senator behind the scenes for his father John, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today’s from the State of New Mexico, to perform who founded Lakewood Church in 1959. opening prayer will be offered by Rev. the duties of the Chair. In 1999, after his father passed away, Joel Osteen, senior pastor of the Lake- DANIEL K. INOUYE, Pastor Osteen accepted God’s call to wood Church in Houston, TX. President pro tempore. service in the church and took over the The guest Chaplain offered the fol- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico thereupon reins as senior pastor, despite having lowing prayer: assumed the chair as Acting President only preached once in his life. Let us pray. pro tempore. It was soon clear that this new, Father we receive Your blessings The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- young preacher had a natural gift for today with grateful hearts, and thank pore. The majority leader. speaking and was able to personally You for the favor that You show us. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest connect with diverse audiences with As we pray for those who lead our the absence of a quorum. the inspirational message of God’s Nation, we ask that You bless this The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- love. Since that time, he and his wife body and those who serve in it. We pore. The clerk will call the roll. and copastor Victoria have led Lake- thank You that these lawmakers serve The assistant legislative clerk pro- wood through extraordinary growth. with honor and integrity, and that You ceeded to call the roll. In 2005, the Osteens moved Lakewood will continue to bless our Nation Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I Church from its original home in through them. Give them wisdom that ask unanimous consent that the order northeast Houston to the former home they will make good decisions, courage for the quorum call be rescinded. of the Houston Rockets basketball that they will hold fast to Your truth, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- team. With this space, Pastor Osteen and compassion that all should prosper pore. Without objection, it is so or- now delivers a message of hope and en- from their laws. We receive Your pres- dered. couragement to 38,000 people a week, with millions more across the country ence here today, Father, and pray that f these lawmakers will remain mindful tuning in on their televisions. of You and that they will honor You in RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME Pastor Osteen has reached millions everything they do. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- more as a best-selling author. His first In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen. pore. Under the previous order, leader- book, ‘‘Your Best Life Now,’’ was re- ship time is reserved. leased in 2004 and remained on the New f York Times bestseller list for 2 years. f PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE His most recent book, ‘‘Every Day a VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Friday,’’ offers commonsense advice on The Honorable TOM UDALL led the REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2011 how to be happy by applying the prin- Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: ciples of God’s word to your daily life. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Pastor Osteen has spoken throughout pore. Under the previous order, the United States of America, and to the Repub- the world, and that is what brings him Senate will resume consideration of S. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, to the Capitol today. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 1925, which the clerk will report. On Saturday the Osteens will lead The assistant legislative clerk read f thousands in what is billed as ‘‘a night as follows. of hope’’ at Nationals Park in Wash- APPOINTMENT OF ACTING A bill (S. 1925) to reauthorize the Violence ington. That message of hope and en- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE Against Women Act of 1994. couragement is what has attracted me The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- and my family to watch Pastor Osteen clerk will please read a communication pore. The Senator from Texas is recog- on Sunday morning. I have been to his to the Senate from the President pro nized. church. He welcomed me and my tempore (Mr. INOUYE). GUEST CHAPLAIN JOEL OSTEEN daughter, Bailey—whose 11th birthday The assistant legislative clerk read Mrs. HUTCHISON. It is my pleasure is today—at Lakewood Church 2 years the following letter: to be able to introduce our guest Chap- ago, and I got to see this awesome ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. S2745 . VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:22 Apr 27, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26AP6.000 S26APPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S2746 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 26, 2012 place that he fills every single Sun- HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES scholarship to attend the University of day—sometimes more than the Hous- CAPTAIN DANIEL H. UTLEY Louisville. ton Rockets ever did, I have to say. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Dr. Gregg said: I do want to say that the Chaplain of rise this morning to acknowledge the Dan was a workhorse of a McConnell the Senate, Dr. Barry Black, who loss of an American hero and patriot. Scholar. There are people who serve for title works with us every week in the Sen- It is my sad duty today to report to my and glory; Dan was a young man who served ate, with all of our staffs, was wonder- colleagues that Kentucky has lost one in order to serve. When he was an under- graduate, he would volunteer for any cause ful to help in assisting to bring Pastor of our finest heroes in uniform. This particular loss is very personal to me, that came along. He was always trying to Osteen to the podium to open our Sen- help out the underdog. His heart was always ate this morning. It is a wonderful Sen- as I knew this outstanding young man bigger than his ego; his compassion for oth- ate tradition that we start our day by very well. ers always outshone his ambition for self. thanking God for this wonderful world CPT Daniel H. Utley of the U.S. His life was no different in the U.S. Army— and also remembering the mantle of Army was killed in the North African what he loved most was serving others in leadership and responsibility that is on country of Mali just a few days ago, on need. our shoulders and trying to do the very April 20, 2012, while on a training mis- I got to know Dan very well during best we can with that message. sion to help the local citizens combat his time in college, and I came to ap- Again, I thank Pastor Osteen and his terrorism. Dan was 33 years old. preciate what a remarkable young man For his service to our country, Cap- wife Victoria, who are wonderful people he was. He was extremely smart. He tain Utley received many medals, whom I have gotten to know through was also one of the most popular stu- awards, and decorations, including the the years. They have inspired so many dents in the program. Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meri- Dan spent one semester in college of us in our travails of life. torious Service Medal, the Army Com- I yield the floor. working in the Kentucky State Legis- mendation Medal, the Joint Service lature, helping to write bills and assist- RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER Achievement Medal, the Army ing State senators and representatives The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Achievement Medal, the Joint Meri- with whatever they needed. Dan grad- pore. The majority leader is recog- torious Unit Award, the National De- uated from the University of Louisville nized. fense Service Medal, the Afghanistan in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree with SCHEDULE Campaign Medal with Combat Star, the honors in political science. After col- Mr. REID. Mr. President, the Senate Global War on Terrorism Expedi- lege, for a time, he enrolled in law is now considering S. 1925, with the tionary Medal, the Global War on Ter- school but soon decided, because of his time until 11:30 for debate only. The rorism Service Medal, the Korean De- desire to serve, that his path to fulfill- Republicans will control the first 45 fense Service Medal, the Army Service ment lay in military service. Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, minutes and the majority will control When I first met Dan, a military ca- and the NATO Medal. Captain Utley the second 45 minutes. reer was certainly not at all what I also received the Basic Parachutist At 11:30 today the Senate will pro- would have expected him to do.