Reverend Philip G. Salois
National Chaplain, American Legion
North Smithfield, RI
Sponsor: Rep. David Cicilline, (D-RI)
Date of Prayer: 02/27/2019
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father Philip
Salois, who delivered today's opening prayer.
Father Phil is a native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and now lives in
North Smithfield, Rhode Island, a community that I am proud to represent today in Congress.
He served our country in uniform during the Vietnam war as a combat
infantryman and earned the Silver Star for his valor.
After his service to our country, Father Phil felt called to service
in another capacity. He was ordained into the priesthood on June 10,
1984.
A few years later, Father Phil joined the Veterans Administration in Boston, where he served as chief of the chaplain service from 1993 to 2005.
Today, he continues to minister to veterans in Rhode Island and all
across America. We owe all of our service members and their families an incredible debt of gratitude.
The men and women of the United States Armed Forces represent our
country's most important values of service, honor, courage, and
sacrifice. This is especially true of Father Phil, who represents the
very best of our country and my home State of Rhode Island.
I thank him for his service to our country and for being here today
to offer the beautiful opening prayer. We are truly honored by his
presence.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Dear Lord, we beseech You to pour forth Your grace and blessings on all who gather to do the work that the people of America elected them to do.
We pray for peace and harmony when we disagree. We pray for the strength and will to work out our differences and to come up with the best solutions that will benefit society as a whole.
Watch over and protect the men and women in uniform, and safeguard them from all harm. And we pray You to bring them home safely to their families and friends.
We especially remember those who are held prisoner in foreign lands, those missing in action, as we continue to seek them out and bring them home to their loved ones.
We make this prayer in Your name. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory