[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page H2085]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

                        House of Representatives

  The House met at 10 a.m.
  The Reverend Ira Combs, Jr., The Greater Bible Way Temple, Jackson, 
Michigan, offered the following prayer:
  Of course let us remember, blessed are the brief, for they shall be 
heard again.
  With bowed heads at this time, we want to, before giving the prayer, 
give honor to Congressman Nick Smith, the Honorable President George W. 
Bush, the Speaker of the House, and all the distinguished Members of 
this body.
  Again with bowed heads, Almighty and Eternal God, our provider and 
continual sustenance, we Your public servants disrobe ourselves of our 
personal pride and bow our heads in humility.
  We ask for forgiveness for our individual and collective shortcomings 
as a people. We petition Your divine assistance, requesting that You 
script our prayers to reflect a deep and abiding appreciation for the 
rich historicity our Founding Fathers have left us in the creative 
inspiration of our Nation's Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  Inspire us as Republicans, Democrats, Independents and others to 
never forget the virtues upon which this Nation's democracy was 
founded, the precepts that are the cause of our current prosperity, 
and, finally, bless us with reverence for You as a loving and abiding 
and caring Creator.
  Help us seek peaceful and cooperative communion with You, our fellow 
man, our colleagues, and in each of our communities of faith, never 
forgetting and ever remembering that it is faith in You that has 
brought us, blessed us and kept us.
  In Your mighty name we pray, and all the people said, Amen.

                          ____________________