[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page S875]]

  The Senate met at 12 noon, and was called to order by the President 
pro tempore [Mr. Thurmond].
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Today's prayer will be offered by guest 
Chaplain, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt.
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                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, of Congregation B'Nai, 
Potomac, MD, offered the following prayer:
  As we gather together in this hallowed Hall and sacred institution, 
we pray dear God for guidance and wisdom, for temperance and prudence.
  May this body's quest for justice be tempered by mercy and 
compassion.
  May those who have been chosen to serve this great Nation be imbued 
with the sense of awe and humility which will enable them to execute 
their duties with decency, dignity, and sanctity. May their actions, 
deliberations, and decisions be made with the recognition that all are 
created in the image of the Almighty. May they be guided by the ethics 
and ethos of the treasured teachings and eternal words of wisdom which 
have inspired people throughout the ages.
  In that spirit, we note that this time of year is referred to on the 
Jewish calendar as Tu B'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
  Since ancient times, this day, in the dead of winter, serves to 
remind us of the human responsibility to care for the Earth, affirms 
the importance of planting trees, and thus asserts the intricate 
relationship between humanity and the environment in which we live.
  And so, may we be inspired by the custom of planting trees this 
season, and of the concept of recognizing the importance of giving back 
to the Earth. May we be inspired by the work of the Jewish National 
Fund and by those who have contributed to this effort which has helped 
to bring this message to people throughout this Nation and who have 
planted trees and forests throughout the land of Israel.
  May we learn to plant at all seasons.
  May we plant seeds of goodness and kindness, of virtue and 
benevolence. In so doing, may we sow the seeds of a just and reverent 
society. May our deeds be like trees--firmly rooted and giving much 
nourishment and sustenance.
  May we be touched by the Jewish tradition's teachings which likens 
trees to wisdom and life itself; so too may we bring that message to 
others.
  Let us say amen.

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