Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Announces Cowlitz Chaplain Mark Bergthold as Guest at State of the Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today,Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced that Chaplain Mark Bergthold, Executive Director of the Cowlitz Chaplaincy, will be her guest at the State of the Union address.
The Cowlitz Chaplaincy provides emotional, relational, and spiritual counseling support to first responders and victims of crimes or emergency situations and assists law enforcement officers with death and serious injury notifications. Mark and his wife have lived in Woodland since 2017.
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visited the Cowlitz Chaplaincy last August.
“Mark and the entire team at the Cowlitz Chaplaincy support law enforcement, victims, and their loved ones on their darkest days — they are unsung heroes of our community, and I’m deeply appreciative of their selfless service,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “I’m honored to have Chaplain Mark join me for the State of the Union, and I’ll keep working on the Appropriations Committee to support our chaplains and law enforcement officers.”
“Several months ago, I got to meet Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez when she visited the Cowlitz Chaplaincy office to learn more about what we do, and how we support first responders and our community. I saw her interest in our mission firsthand and was excited to see that she was able to pass language in the recent appropriations bill certifying that chaplaincy programs are eligible for federal funding,” said Chaplain Mark Bergthold. “In appreciation of chaplains and the work we do, she invited me to be her guest at this year’s State of the Union address. This is a huge honor for the Cowlitz Chaplaincy, and as the Executive Director, I am thrilled to represent our team at this event.”
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez secured language in the FY26 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, which became law last month, affirming that funding authorized by the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act can be directed to local chaplaincies. She also met with the Cowlitz Chaplaincy last August.
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