[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 23, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H7147-H7150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL DAY OF RECONCILIATION

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 184) providing for a National 
Day of Reconciliation, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 184

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That on a day of reconciliation selected jointly 
     by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
     President pro tempore of the Senate, and with the Chaplain of 
     the House of Representatives and the Chaplain of the Senate 
     in attendance--
       (1) the two Houses of the Congress shall assemble in the 
     Hall of the House of Representatives at a time when the two 
     Houses are not in session; and
       (2) during this assembly, the Members of the two Houses may 
     gather to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for 
     forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all 
     people of the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to 
     realize its potential as the champion of hope, the vindicator 
     of the defenseless, and the guardian of freedom.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Doolittle) will control 20 minutes.

[[Page H7148]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a resolution that calls for the two Houses of 
Congress to assemble in this Chamber at a time when the House and the 
Senate are not in session and that during this assembly the Members of 
the two Houses may gather to humbly seek the blessings of Providence 
for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of 
the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to realize its 
potential as a champion of hope, the vindicator of the defenseless, and 
the guardian of freedom.
  That is pretty much the sum and substance and essence of this 
resolution. I think given all we have been experiencing over the last 
few weeks, it is clear that the purposes of this resolution are very 
good indeed and would be beneficial to our Nation.
  The author of the resolution is the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), 
our majority whip; and I understand we have now 72 cosponsors, with 
good bipartisan representation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the author of the resolution.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time; 
and I thank my good friend from California for bringing this resolution 
to the floor. This is a resolution that is coauthored by me and the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall).
  Mr. Speaker, we have seldom seen a time in which it would have been 
more fitting than the present moment for America's leaders to come 
together as a unified body before God and demonstrate that we seek 
grace, guidance, wisdom, and reconciliation for our Nation.
  In the work ahead, the old labels and divisions over which we have 
quarreled must be set aside to accomplish the larger purpose to which 
we are called as a Nation. We believe that this resolution has the 
capacity to draw us together and to cultivate the meaning, direction, 
and inspiration needed to achieve our special potential in the destiny 
of nations.
  I have from time to time disagreed vigorously with my colleagues 
across the aisle. We have had honest disagreements and crossed swords 
over both practical and philosophical points. But I speak from my heart 
when I say that my firmest friends and most committed adversaries can 
all join me in supporting this initiative, because it is solely 
designed to advance the Nation towards a goal that all of us share.
  Every Member should approach this resolution with fresh and open 
eyes. This resolution is without any partisan aspect, motivation, or 
effect. Its aim is the betterment of every American as our country 
draws closer to the high aspirations our Founders outlined for us.
  It was specifically drafted to include everyone and to exclude no 
one. The National Day of Reconciliation acknowledges that we are all 
equal before God and, consequently, it is tailored to accommodate the 
specific face of every Member. It is ecumenical in substance and 
universal in its aspirations. Everyone can confidently embrace the 
spirit and purpose of reconciliation we advance with this proposal. We 
make way for all faiths.
  Our goal is to have every Member join us in seeking reconciliation. 
Our victory is to see every Member and Senator taking part in keeping 
and practicing with their own personal faith, judgment, and beliefs. 
Our fondest wish is for every elected representative to gather and 
petition God for his blessing, stewardship, and forgiveness. We want to 
approach him to reconcile our country.
  While we are all welcome and encouraged to take part, no one is 
obligated under this resolution to do anything at all. The National Day 
of Reconciliation compels no action of any kind. Participation is 
entirely voluntary.

  Let me reiterate that point to dispel any misguided concerns. Members 
can support this resolution with the certain knowledge that it places 
no obligations on anyone. All it will do is to permit Members and 
Senators to come together voluntarily in private fellowship within the 
House Chamber to seek repentance and reconciliation for our Nation. 
What we seek is an open climate of communal prayer and repentance.
  So many of us have gathered meaning and direction for our own lives 
through power of prayer. Both Houses of Congress acknowledge this by 
beginning each legislative day with an invocation.
  We started work on this resolution many months ago. We were looking 
for a way to reconcile our country. Recent events have only deepened 
our conviction that reconciliation is needed and necessary. In the wake 
of September 11, the imperative underlying a National Day of 
Reconciliation takes on a heightened sense of urgency and weight.
  In the past, the American governments have responded to periods of 
danger and uncertainty by seeking God's blessing and forgiveness.
  One of our greatest Presidents healed a horrible national wound by 
leading us toward the pathway to reconciliation. He explained that by 
embracing our founding principles and seeking God's blessing, our 
Nation could overcome a great crisis. Abraham Lincoln held the Nation 
to account in 1863 as he urged Americans to reflect on all we had 
inherited and what was expected of us. He said:

       We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of 
     heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace 
     and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, 
     as no other Nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.
       We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in 
     peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and 
     we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, 
     that all these blessings were produced by some superior 
     wisdom and virtue of our own.
       Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-
     sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and reserving 
     grace, too proud to pray to the God thus!
       It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the 
     offended power, to confess our national sins and pray for 
     clemency and forgiveness.

  Abraham Lincoln was right. If we want America to be united under the 
fellowship of reconciliation, we must humble ourselves before God and 
ask to be healed and brought together.
  We have heard suggestions that other spaces within the Capitol would 
be more fitting and appropriate venues than the House Chamber. I could 
not disagree more strongly. Please let me explain why.
  Our House Chamber is the symbolic heart of American democracy. It is 
right here that we do our work. It is here that decisions bearing 
heavily on our destiny are decided. It is here that all three branches 
of our government assemble during moments of great national gravity.
  From right up there, Presidents speak to America. And in here we can 
come together to demonstrate to the country that America's leaders have 
the strength, compassion, and courage to seek guidance and forgiveness. 
We should not be afraid to admit that America's work requires God's 
interest, assistance, and guidance.
  Our purpose in introducing this resolution is threefold. We believe 
that by setting aside a day for the leaders of our Nation to come 
together in prayer, we will enhance our unity, send a powerful petition 
for guidance and wisdom, and, by humbly gathering, send a strong 
message to the American people that their leaders earnestly wish to 
bring about a national reconciliation so that we can go forward as a 
united people.
  Members should also know that this resolution raises no 
constitutional barriers. It has been vetted thoroughly and poses no 
challenges to law.
  To alleviate another concern, Members should know that we intend the 
entire scope of the Day of Reconciliation to occur without TV 
broadcast. Members should have no fear that this format could breach 
their privacy. Privacy in worship will be respected by this gathering 
because it will not be recorded. It is a chance for America's leaders 
to approach God.
  We know we have all fallen short of our potential. We know that our 
Nation has also failed to achieve all that it could. Members can take a 
firm step toward realizing those twin objectives by supporting this 
resolution.
  Remember, all we ask is that willing Members be permitted to gather 
to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, 
reconciliation,

[[Page H7149]]

unity, and charity for all the people of the United States, thereby 
assisting the Nation to realize its potential as the champion of hope, 
the vindicator of the defenseless, and the guardian of freedom.

                              {time}  1545

  A national day of reconciliation will be good for each of us as 
elected officials and men and women, but it will be even better for 
America. It is time to come together, and I believe that this 
resolution will be an immeasurable help in solidifying our country.
  So, Mr. Speaker, for that reason I ask Members to support the 
resolution.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall).
  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time.
  I had not realized that this resolution was coming up so quick. I do 
not have anything written, but I would like to say that I think it is 
an important piece of legislation. I was very glad to support it. I 
think the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) is absolutely right in what 
he said, the reasons for it. There has never been a time when I think 
that we need our leaders to stand up and pray and to be humbled before 
God, to humble ourselves before God and ask for wisdom.
  The fact that this is being done when we are not in session I think 
is important. That means the cameras are not on us. That means the 
press is not here. So we are not doing it for pious reasons; we are 
doing it because we sincerely hope that Members will come here on their 
own in a voluntary way and humbly ask God for guidance and wisdom to do 
what we should be doing, not only as representatives of this country in 
our districts, but, what do You want us to do?
  Oftentimes, in our deliberation as Members of Congress, as husbands, 
as individuals, we oftentimes, especially in America and among 
successful people, we think that when there is a problem, we need to 
get together and we need to have a solution. We need to get some money; 
we need to start a program. But the fact is, oftentimes we forget to 
ask God what is on His mind, what does He want. It would be good that 
if we could close these doors, get everybody out of here except Members 
and come and pray and ask for wisdom, and I think it is appropriate. I 
think that it is not a new precedent that we are starting here, and I 
think that it is important that we pass this resolution.
  There is a wonderful Scripture verse in the New Testament that says 
that, and I am paraphrasing, we are to pray for the kings and the 
leaders so that the people can live peaceful and tranquil lives in all 
Godliness and dignity. I think the reason why God asks the people to 
pray for leaders is not because they are better; it is because that 
they are leaders, and they have the power to make things good or make 
things bad.
  When we look around the world today, there are a lot of things that 
are going on that are pretty rotten. There are probably 40,000 people 
that will die today, or close to it, from war and hunger and civil 
disturbance and lack of immunizations and lack of food and clean water. 
The kinds of conflicts that are going on in 40 different countries 
right now, even our own country, should tell people that we need to 
pray for our leaders.
  They have this great saying in Africa that says that when the 
elephants fight, the grass dies, which means when the big people fight, 
when the leaders fight, the people perish, and they take it on the 
chin. That is why they ask for people to pray for their leaders. They 
also ask the leaders, us, people like us all over the world, to humble 
ourselves before God and ask for guidance and wisdom and to be the kind 
of people that God wants us to be.
  I think this is what this resolution is all about. This is the reason 
why I went in on it. The only stipulation I made with the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. DeLay) was that we do it privately, to not do it in 
front of the TV cameras. We do not do it in public. We do not do it to 
bring publicity to ourselves. That is the worst kind of thing to do. I 
think this legislation addresses that.
  For that reason, I support it and I hope the whole body supports it.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Mississippi (Mr. Shows).
  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I certainly support this 
resolution. I think it is something that every weekend that I go home I 
ask my constituents in our church, the Bethel Baptist Missionary 
Church, to pray for not only me and the decisions I have to make, but 
to pray for the President and the other leaders in Congress. Because I 
really do mean that. I do not think there is anything stronger than 
prayer.
  We have seen what it has done for this country during George 
Washington's time and President Lincoln's time, and FDR and World War 
I. What has always brought this country through is prayer and asking 
that we just help each other. I can remember some times in my own life 
that we have had prayer and that prayer has been answered. I think if 
the leaders come together, I think it is the right thing to do.
  I can remember when the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) talked to me 
about this suspension bill coming to the House and, like the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Hall) said, coming to the House floor and closing the 
doors and turning off the TV cameras, because some of us like to maybe 
perform for the TV and for the audience out there. But this ought to be 
from the heart. Because right now, we did not know at the time that the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) was talking about this that we were 
going to be going through these tragic events we are going through 
right now. So I thank him for this, and I certainly support this 
suspension resolution.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the chief deputy whip and a 
cosponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, when people tell me, as they often do, I am praying for 
you, I almost always say to them, it is the most important thing you 
could do. Just as the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) mentioned, 
prayer does matter; and those of us who come today to support this 
resolution will be joined by others when this resolution is passed, to 
come to the floor specifically on that day to pray.
  The tragic events of September 11 affected all the people in our 
country, including Members of Congress. Prayer is one way to heal our 
Nation and to heal ourselves.
  I stand today in support of the resolution which allows Members of 
both bodies to have the opportunity to come to this floor, as has been 
often repeated, while the cameras are off for a day of prayer and 
reconciliation. This resolution provides an opportunity, a gathering 
place, for elected officials who wish to seek God's blessings and 
guidance for our country. It does not force any Member of this body or 
the other body to participate in a day of reconciliation; it merely 
makes this place available for that purpose.
  Our Nation has a strong background in faith and worship by government 
officials. It is a background that other speakers, including the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), have already talked about. George 
Washington established a day of thanksgiving and prayer as the first 
President. Every President since President Kennedy has said a prayer 
just outside the doors of this Chamber before entering the House to 
give the State of the Union address. The House Chaplain opens every 
session of Congress with a morning prayer. Above the podium, Mr. 
Speaker, are engraved the words, ``In God We Trust.'' During the Civil 
War, President Lincoln set aside several days of national mourning and 
prayer. In the 1950s and in the 1980s, Congress passed resolutions 
providing for national days of prayer; and later, those resolutions 
became public laws.
  By praying together to a higher being in all different ways that any 
Member of either this House or the other body would want to do, we 
unify our Nation; we heal our wounds; and we do, as I tell people so 
often, the most important thing we could do.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of those who 
have spoken, and I strongly urge the adoption of this resolution 
relative to national reconciliation.

[[Page H7150]]

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, it was before the events of September 11 and 
its aftermath that a diverse group of House Members--including, 
Democrats and Republics, Members from different regions, different 
backgrounds, and widely, differing viewpoints--began discussing the 
idea of drafting a resolution that focuses this often-contentious body 
and the country at-large on the higher purpose that unites us all as 
American citizens and as children of God.
  Little did we know how profound the need for such a focus would soon 
be.
  The resolution we consider tonight asks that we seek the blessings of 
Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for 
every American in order to fulfill our country's purpose in bringing 
hope to the defenseless and freedom to the oppressed.
  Our country is, in fact, the hope and inspiration of countless 
millions of people held in oppressed circumstances throughout much of 
the world.
  At times, we Americans differ bitterly over policies. We have our own 
struggles over justice and opportunity for all. For more than two 
centuries, we have fought to make the promise of our Constitution a 
reality for every citizen, regardless of race, religion, gender, or 
national origin.
  Yet, through it all, no country in the world has made a greater 
contribution or greater sacrifice to advance the cause of freedom and 
human dignity.
  Tonight, our Nation and the free world face one of the greatest tests 
in our history. Let us stand together, in reconciliation and unity, as 
the ``champion of hope, vindicator of the defenseless, and the guardian 
of freedom,'' here in America and across the world.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). Are there further requests for 
time? If not the question is on the motion offered by the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Doolittle) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 184, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________