[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 137 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1706-E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       A TRIBUTE TO CHARLOTTE F. LEONARD, POETESS OF ROSEMEAD, CA

                                 ______


                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 1995
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Miss 
Charlotte Leonard, a resident of Rose Manor, California Christian Home 
in Rosemead, CA. Mrs. Leonard is the author of one of the most 
inspiring pieces of poetry that I have ever read. I commend to you, Mr. 
Speaker, and all of my fellow Members of Congress, both in this House 
and in the other body, her words:
                         The Chapel in the Dome

                       (By Charlotte F. Leonard)

     High in the dome of our Capitol
     Is the national altar of prayer
     By the light of a stained glass window
     A statesman is kneeling there

     Inspired by the Holy Bible
     Open to the twenty-third Psalm
     High in the dome of this chapel
     Our statesman finds peace and calm.

     In the center of the window
     In this room of blue and gold
     Kneels the figure of George Washington
     With seals above and below,
     And all around the ruby red glass
     The stars of our states, aglow.

     The seven-branch candelabra
     Each side of the altar stand,
     With the flag of our country to the right,
     The flag of our own dear land.

     And the flowers so fair by the Bible there
     Speak of the Almighty's hand.

     Men of our state and our destiny

[[Page E 1707]]

     Withdraw from your rush of life
     To this peaceful chapel in the dome,
     Away from all stress and strife.

     Renew your faith by the altar there
     Look to God for strength and wisdom,
     In the wonderful power of prayer.

  While I understand that this poem, which Mrs. Leonard penned some 
years ago, may have been included in the Record on an earlier day--
during the Nation's bicentennial--it is my firm belief that we need 
this kind of reminder every now and then. I commend Mrs. Leonard's 
words to my colleagues and I thank Mrs. Leonard both for writing them 
and for agreeing to share them with the Nation.


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