This is not an official government website.
© 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Bill Foster. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
Issued
June 23, 2026
house side of the record
People
1
Linked members mentioned in this section
Legislation
0
No linked legislation in this section
Committees
0
No linked committees in this section
Senate Holds
0
No hold activity linked here
Source Document
Connected Data
People mentioned
1 Helpful Term
Extensions of Remarks
Material lawmakers submit for the official record even when it was not spoken live on the floor.
Source Control
Reader mode is for comprehension. The linked government PDF is the official published source.
Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextCELEBRATING THE VERY REVEREND FATHER SAMUEL THABET FOR 50 YEARS OF
FAITHFUL SERVICE
HON. BILL FOSTER
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the Very Reverend Father Samuel Thabet, priest of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Chicago in Burr Ridge, as he marks his Golden Jubilee—50 years of faithful and devoted priestly service.
family, Father Samuel's life has been marked by unwavering faith and dedication. Ordained a deacon at just five years old, he continued serving the Church throughout his youth, guided by the late Father Bishoy Kamel and his uncle, Father Matthias El-Baramousy. After earning a degree in civil engineering and serving in the Egyptian army, he answered his lifelong calling to the priesthood and was ordained by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in 1976.
His ministry has endured both trial and resilience. In 1981, he was imprisoned with fellow clergy under President Anwar Sadat, yet his faith never faltered. After his release, he was appointed to serve congregations in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Atlantic City before being called in 1990 to lead Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Chicago.
parishioners and serves a broader Coptic community of more than 15,000 across Illinois. His decades of spiritual leadership, community service, and steadfast dedication have had a profound and lasting impact on countless individuals and families. He shares this journey with his beloved wife, Tassony Ebtesam El-Neil, a devoted servant of the Church.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize such a faithful servant and respected community leader in my district. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on this extraordinary milestone and celebrating his profound impact on the Coptic Orthodox community and the people of Illinois.