[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 70 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E885]]
              AMERICANS OBSERVE ``NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER''

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                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                           Monday, May 1, 1995
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Thursday, May 4 marks the 44th 
consecutive observance of the National Day of Prayer.
  I congratulate all those Americans who will pause on that date to 
thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on our country, and to ask 
for His continued guidance for our Nation, its people and its leaders.
  Even as we mourn the senseless tragedy that occurred in Oklahoma City 
which killed and injured so many of our fellow citizens and brought 
sadness to so many other Americans, we have much for which to be 
thankful.
  We are free to practice--or not practice--the religion of our choice. 
We are free to think for ourselves and believe what we wish, and we are 
free to voice our opinions without fear. We are blessed with a free 
press that keeps us informed of what is right, and what is wrong, with 
our Government and our other public institutions.
  In comparison to other nations of the world, we are a prosperous 
people--well-fed, well-housed and well-clothed. Our system does not 
guarantee success for every one of our citizens, but it does allow each 
American to advance as high as his talents and hard work can carry him.
  Yes, our Nation has problems, and yes, there is injustice in our 
country. But in the United States, more than in any other nation in the 
world, all of our people have an opportunity to succeed. That 
opportunity is what drew immigrants to ``the new world'' in the 17th 
century; it's what drew settlers to ``the colonies'' in the 18th 
century; it's what motivated countless men and women to settle the West 
in the 19th century; and it's what continues to draw men and women from 
around the world to our shores in the 20th century.
  Just as important, we Americans have in place a judicial system 
within which injustices can be eliminated, and within which wrongs can 
be righted peacefully, without resolve to violence. While our system of 
justice is not perfect, and while mistakes can occur, no once can deny 
the fact that America's judicial system has served our country and our 
people well for more then two centuries.
  The idea that we Americans should pause and reflect on our blessings, 
and ask for God's guidance, is nothing new, National day of prayer have 
been part of our Nation's heritage since the first one was declared by 
the Continental Congress in 1775. Through the influence of Gen. George 
Washington, many of our founding fathers and succeeding presidents, 
prayer became an essential foundation upon which the United States of 
America was established and upon which it has grown.
  On Thursday, through the collective prayers of citizens from every 
State and territory of our country, all Americans will have the 
opportunity to acknowledge our dependence upon God; recognize our need 
to renew moral values in our personal and professional lives; seek 
God's guidance for our Nation's governmental and community leaders; 
give thanks for the many blessings which our country has received from 
Him through the years; pledge ourselves to the restoration of marriage 
and family commitments; and intercede for healing and reconciliation 
within our Nation.
  The participation of millions of American men and women in this 
year's National Day of Prayer will ensure that the event will be a 
success. As someone who believes in the power of prayer, and as someone 
who depends upon prayer in my daily life--both personal and 
professional--I sincerely thank everyone who takes part in this 
important annual event, as well as every American who keeps the 
interests of our nation, its people and its leaders in their prayers on 
a daily basis.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and may God bless you, our great Nation, and 
each and every American.


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