[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  Rabbi Moshe E. Bomzer, Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, Albany, New 
York, offered the following prayer:
  Blessed is He, oh, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has given 
wisdom to all of mankind.
  I offer this prayer on the last days of the congressional session 
prior to our national Memorial Day weekend. It was exactly 130 years 
ago almost to the day that Congress resolved that a day be set aside to 
recognize and memorialize those who had given their lives to defend our 
country in times of war and in times of peace.
  President Abraham Lincoln expressed it best when he stated: ``That we 
here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. We can 
do them no greater honor than to keep alive that which they gave their 
lives to preserve; love of country, duty, honor and defense of the 
right as it is given to us to see the right.''
  Let us keep their memories alive in our hearts and deeds throughout 
this period of the year. May their memories be a blessing.
  On behalf of all assembled here, I pray. May God Who grants salvation 
to kings and dominion to princes, Whose kingdom is one that spans all 
eternities, bless and protect, help and exhalt the President and the 
Vice President of the United States of America.
  May God bless the leaders of our great Nation; the Members of this 
House of Representatives, their families and their staffs. May God 
bless all who help guide our Nation with honor, dignity and pride, 
increase their strength of soul to resist the pressure to shade truth 
or compromise integrity, increase their ability to advocate on behalf 
of a just and honest society, caring and concern for the welfare of all 
citizens and friends, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, 
gender or age. Help them welcome all the marvelous, colorful, 
contentious diversity of our Nation's people. Grant them the wisdom, 
kindness, patience and understanding to differentiate between right and 
wrong, good and evil, and between sanctity and impurity. Enable our 
leaders to bring peace among all mankind everywhere in the world.
  As we celebrate this weekend, let us also realize this coming Sunday, 
May 24th, marks the 31st anniversary of the reunification of the City 
of Jerusalem, eternal capital of the state of Israel. King David wrote 
of the city, ``Our feet would stand in the gateways of Jerusalem. 
Jerusalem rebuilt, as a city reunited together. Seek the peace of 
Jerusalem, may those who love you be at ease. May there be peace 
between your walls and tranquility in your palace. For the sake of my 
brothers and friends I shall speak with you of peace.''
  Bless us dear God with the light of Your countenance, shower your 
providence and influence for good throughout the world, uniting all 
mankind in peace and freedom. He who makes peace in the heavens above, 
may He make peace here on earth, as we say, amen.

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