[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E154-E155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST REMARKS

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to introduce 
into the Congressional Record the following speech given by my friend 
and colleague, Congressman Pete Geren, at the National Prayer Breakfast 
this morning. As a member of the National Prayer Breakfast Committee, 
Congressman Geren clearly emulates the values represented by the 
National Prayer Breakfast. I urge my colleagues to read Pete Geren's 
address with the thoughtfulness and sincerity with which it was 
delivered.

                       National Prayer Breakfast

       Mr. President, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Gore, 
     distinguished guests one and all, I bring you greetings from 
     the Prayer Breakfast of the U.S. House of Representatives. My 
     charge today is to tell you about our prayer breakfast, with 
     the hope and prayer that perhaps you can build on our 
     experience in your nation, your state, your neighborhood or 
     place of work.
       In the book of Matthew, Jesus told us: ``Where two or three 
     are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of 
     them.''
       Today those gathered in His name number in the thousands, 
     and we thank Him for his presence.
       Every Thursday morning that the House is in session, we 
     gather, 40-50 members strong, in His name. Our gathering is 
     extraordinary by Capitol Hill standards, for so many reasons, 
     and truly a blessing to those who have made it a part of 
     their lives.
       Extraordinary by Capitol Hill standards: In a super-charged 
     environment where most all meetings are restricted by party 
     membership, even more narrowly, by philosophical subsets 
     within a party, by race, by religion, by region or by cause, 
     our meetings are inter-faith, ecumenical, multi-racial, non-
     partisan and as diverse as this great land of ours.
       The Irish brogue of South Boston, the syrupy drawl of South 
     Georgia, the sharp and clipped tongue of Brooklyn, the twang 
     of Texas and the flat tones of Minnesota fill the room every 
     week.
       There are no guests, not even family members, no cameras, 
     no press, no record of the proceedings. It is as private as 
     Capitol Hill can be and members share their hearts.
       I said no guests, well there is one exception: Legislators 
     or parliamentarians from around the world join us to learn 
     about our breakfast, and, on occasion, return years later to 
     tell us of the leadership groups they have started in their 
     land.
       Today, prayer breakfasts are held in over 100 countries, in 
     countries as far-flung as India, Peru, and Japan. So in a 
     way, then we engage in outreach to the world, but that is not 
     our main purpose.
       Our focus is internal, on the lives, hearts and souls of 
     our colleagues. It is fellowship, an eye in the storm of the 
     swirling world of politics.
       There is a saying that ``If you want a friend in 
     Washington, buy a dog''. Our breakfast belies that 
     expression.
       Breakfast begins at 8 am and it is the only $3.00 breakfast 
     left in Washington. I am sure it somehow violates the gift 
     ban.
       We visit informally for most of the first half hour. When 
     we are called to order we begin our day's program with a 
     scripture reading.
       Our very own General, Congressman Sonny Montgomery, then 
     brings us up to date on the lives, and too often of late, the 
     deaths of House members, past and present. He shares with us 
     celebrations such as recent births and the trials and 
     tribulations of others.
       We then lift up our colleagues and their families in 
     prayer, with rejoiceful prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for 
     healing, for comfort and for the blessing of our nation and 
     our leaders.
       We follow the prayer with a hymn, long on enthusiasm, but 
     short on harmony. Congressman Jake Pickle of Texas used to 
     regale us with the history of each hymn, or at 

[[Page E155]]
     least the ``history according to Jake'', but he now has retired and we 
     miss him.
       Following the hymn, a House member, tells us his/her life 
     story--about the influences that shaped his life, values, 
     philosophy, politics and faith.
       On these occasions, members offer a window into their souls 
     that I expect few others have ever seen. Through this sharing 
     each of us, so often is surprised that, beyond the accents, 
     geography and political labels, surprised at how much we have 
     in common. After hearing Joe Moakley of Massachusetts tell of 
     his South Boston childhood, Charlie Rangel, who grew up in 
     Harlem, said ``Joe, we really grew up in the same 
     neighborhood we just never knew it!''.
       Regarding our differences, and they are many, we grow to 
     understand them better.
       We close with another prayer. We pray that we may be salt 
     and light in this world we share.
       Each of us truly is blessed by our participation and pray 
     that somehow our Congress and nation, one nation under God, 
     are as well.

                          ____________________