[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H2334-H2336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1300
 SECURING BLESSINGS OF PROVIDENCE FOR PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND 
                            OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 153) recognizing the public need for fasting and 
prayer in order to secure the blessings and protection of Providence 
for the people of the United States and our Armed Forces during the 
conflict in Iraq and under the threat of terrorism at home.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 153

       Whereas the United States is currently engaged in a war on 
     terrorism in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001;
       Whereas the Armed Forces of the United States are currently 
     engaged in a campaign to disarm the regime of Saddam Hussein 
     and liberate the people of Iraq;
       Whereas, on June 1, 1774, the Virginia House of Burgesses 
     called for a day of fasting and prayer as an expression of 
     solidarity with the people of Boston who were under siege by 
     the enemy;
       Whereas, on March 16, 1776, the Continental Congress, 
     recognizing that the ``Liberties of America are imminently 
     endangered'' and the need ``to acknowledge the overruling 
     Providence of God'', called for a day of ``Humiliation, 
     Fasting and Prayer'';
       Whereas, on June 28, 1787, during the debate of the 
     Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin, convinced of 
     God's intimate involvement in human affairs, implored the 
     Congress to seek the assistance of Heaven in all its 
     dealings;
       Whereas, on March 30, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, 
     Abraham Lincoln, at the bequest of the Senate, and himself 
     recognizing the need of the Nation to humble itself before 
     God in repentance for its national sins, proclaimed a day of 
     fasting, prayer and humiliation;
       Whereas all of the various faiths of the people of the 
     United States have recognized, in our religious traditions, 
     the need for fasting and humble supplication before 
     Providence;
       Whereas humility, fasting, and prayer in times of danger 
     have long been rooted in our essential national convictions 
     and have been a means of producing unity and solidarity among 
     all the diverse people of this Nation as well as procuring 
     the enduring grace and benevolence of God;
       Whereas, through prayer, fasting, and self-reflection, we 
     may better recognize our own faults and shortcomings and 
     submit to the wisdom and love of God in order that we may 
     have guidance and strength in those daily actions and 
     decisions we must take; and
       Whereas dangers and threats to our Nation persist and, in 
     this time of peril, it is appropriate that the people of the 
     United States, leaders and citizens alike, seek guidance, 
     strength, and resolve through prayer and fasting: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that the President should issue a 
     proclamation--
       (1) designating a day for humility, prayer, and fasting for 
     all people of the United States; and
       (2) calling on all people of the United States--
       (A) to observe the day as a time of prayer and fasting;
       (B) to seek guidance from God to achieve a greater 
     understanding of our own failings and to learn how we can do 
     better in our everyday activities; and
       (C) to gain resolve in meeting the challenges that confront 
     our Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the 
resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Resolution 153, introduced by the distinguished gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Akin), recognizes the public need for fasting and prayer 
in order to secure the blessings and protection of Providence for the 
people of the United States and their Armed Forces abroad due to the 
armed conflict in Iraq and the threat of terrorism here at home.
  Mr. Speaker, our great Nation is at battle overseas with the vicious 
regime of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The mission Operation Iraqi 
Freedom aims to dislodge Hussein and his top advisers from power, 
eliminate weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi military's 
arsenal, and free the Iraqi people from Hussein's awful dictatorship. 
This conflict can lead to a wonderful improvement in the lives of all 
Iraqi people. The risks of this conflict, however, are terribly 
significant to all American citizens.
  In Iraq, the threats to our remarkable servicemen and women are many. 
The Iraqi soldiers' resistance may include the deployment of chemical 
and biological weapons, not to mention the lethality of Iraq's 
military's conventional weapons. Here at home, the Federal Government 
has launched Operation Liberty Shield to increase domestic security due 
to the danger of terrorist attacks within our borders.
  This combination of threats to Americans across the globe make 
passage of this resolution essential and meaningful. Since the birth of 
our Nation, Americans of all backgrounds, faiths and creeds have 
especially recognized the value earned from prayer, reflection, 
sacrifice and humility during times of national crisis.
  Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge all Members to support the 
adoption of House Resolution 153. I thank my colleague from Missouri 
for introducing this extremely relevant and valuable measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us calls on the American people to 
fast

[[Page H2335]]

and pray for the United States and the Armed Forces fighting the war in 
Iraq. Anytime there is any conversation or notion or discussion of a 
religious nature, there are bound to be different people who have 
different thoughts and ideas about it. Different people worship 
different forms of supremacy. As mothers and fathers, sisters and 
brothers, friends and neighbors, and most of all as a peace-loving 
people, we seek and hope for a quick resolution to the conflict in 
Iraq.
  All those who believe in a supreme being, whether it be God, Jehovah, 
Allah, Buddha or whether people call their belief Prince of Peace or 
Rose of Sharon or Lily of the Valley, to me it does not really matter. 
What matters is that people believe in the supremacy of a being. They 
believe in the coming together. They believe in a force that is more 
powerful than anything that we have been able to actually discern or 
see. It is something that is one of the mysteries, in many ways, of 
life but a part of the hope that people have, part of the faith.
  And so I rise in support of this resolution. I urge that we pray for 
the men and women who are giving of themselves each and every day, who 
even may or may not return. I would urge passage, then, of this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest respect for the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Connecticut 
(Mr. Shays) and understand the spirit in which they come forward to 
support this resolution.
  Considering the dynamics of this war, I would just like to urge a 
note of caution here, Mr. Speaker; and the note of caution is that this 
resolution may be seen by some as an attempt to inject religion into 
this war at a time when some of America's enemies abroad are asserting 
that this is indeed a war about religion.
  I know that the intentions of the sponsors are to ask for the 
blessings of Providence upon our troops. I think that all of us support 
the troops. Some of us do not support the mission.
  Pope John Paul II, greeting a group of Polish pilgrims in Vatican 
City on March 5, 2003, said, ``I ask all of you for this prayer and 
fasting. May these be concrete gestures of the involvement on the part 
of those who believe in the mission to remind the world that it is 
never too late for peace.''
  I think that it would be very constructive as this House proceeds in 
deliberating resolutions of this type if an appeal was made not only 
for the success of those who work for this country under the flag of 
this country in fields far from home, as soldiers in combat, I think it 
would be constructive if this House also in this resolution or in 
another resolution would agree that it is never too late for peace.
  I also think that aggressive war is not consistent with prayerful 
aspirations. The golden rule, which represents an even higher calling 
than this resolution, do unto others as you would have them do unto you 
and love your neighbor as you would love yourself, I think is 
instructive in guiding us to be quite cautious about passing a 
resolution that would easily be interpreted as sanctioning aggressive 
war.
  So I reluctantly come here to offer this note of caution, knowing 
full well that Members who have proposed this are very good people, 
they are good Americans, they are patriotic Americans, and we all care 
about our troops.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to read this resolution, and I think it is pretty clear 
what it says:
  Recognizing the public need for fasting and prayer in order to secure 
the blessings and protection of Providence for the people of the United 
States and our Armed Forces during the conflict in Iraq and under the 
threat of terrorism at home.
  Whereas the United States is currently engaged in a war on terrorism 
in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001;
  Whereas the Armed Forces of the United States are currently engaged 
in a campaign to disarm the regime of Saddam Hussein and liberate the 
people of Iraq;
  Whereas, on June 1, 1774, the Virginia House of Burgesses called for 
a day of fasting and prayer as an expression of solidarity with the 
people of Boston who were under siege by the enemy;
  Whereas, on March 16, 1776, the Continental Congress, recognizing 
that the ``Liberties of America are imminently endangered'' and the 
need ``to acknowledge the overruling Providence of God'', called for a 
day of ``Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer'';
  Whereas, on June 28, 1787, during the debate of the Constitutional 
Convention, Benjamin Franklin, convinced of God's intimate involvement 
in human affairs, implored the Congress to seek the assistance of 
Heaven in all its dealings;
  Whereas, on March 30, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, Abraham 
Lincoln, at the behest of the Senate, and himself recognizing the need 
of the Nation to humble itself before God in repentance for its 
national sins, proclaimed a day of fasting, prayer and humiliation;
  Whereas all of the various faiths of the people of the United States 
have recognized, in our religious traditions, the need for fasting and 
humble supplication before Providence;
  Whereas humility, fasting, and prayer in times of danger have long 
been rooted in our essential national convictions and have been a means 
of producing unity and solidarity among all the diverse people of this 
Nation as well as procuring the enduring grace and benevolence of God;
  Whereas, through prayer, fasting, and self-reflection, we may better 
recognize our own faults and shortcomings and submit to the wisdom and 
love of God in order that we may have guidance and strength in those 
daily actions and decisions we must take; and
  Whereas dangers and threats to our Nation persist and, in this time 
of peril, it is appropriate that the people of the United States, 
leaders and citizens alike, seek guidance, strength, and resolve 
through prayer and fasting: Now, therefore, be it
  Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
the President should issue a proclamation--
  (1) designating a day for humility, prayer, and fasting for all 
people of the United States; and
  (2) calling on all people of the United States--
  (A) to observe the day as a time of prayer and fasting;
  (B) to seek guidance from God to achieve a greater understanding of 
our own failings and to learn how we can do better in our everyday 
activities; and
  (C) to gain resolve in meeting the challenges that confront our 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I think the resolution speaks for itself. It is a 
resolution that I think all of us can support with humility and grace 
and a love for our great Nation.
  I would just remind the Members of this Chamber that the medallion 
that is directly facing the Speaker is the medallion of Moses. We have 
been guided by his laws for many years.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time 
as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland).
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I came to the Chamber today to speak on 
this resolution. I intend to vote for it and support it, but there were 
some comments that I think are relevant regarding this resolution.
  I am a little troubled that we would presume to tell the American 
people what they should do to secure the blessings and protections of 
Providence. It just troubles me that it begins by saying we recognize 
the public need for fasting and prayer in order to secure the blessings 
and protections of Providence. I really think that is a theological 
conclusion, a theological belief. It just causes me some difficulty.
  I think that each of us in our own way have an understanding of how 
to pray and why we should pray, but it also bothers me that we would 
pass this resolution without considering it as serious as it is. I 
would hope, and I am going to make three suggestions related to those 
of us who in a few moments may be voting on this resolution, that we do 
three things.

                              {time}  1315

  That we commit ourselves during this day of fasting to go without 
food,

[[Page H2336]]

that we not ask the American people or suggest the American people 
should do something that each of us as individuals do not do ourselves. 
I would also suggest that on that day we should forego any political 
fundraising at which food may be served or consumed; and, thirdly, I 
would suggest that those of us who would vote for this resolution would 
ask our leadership to close the Members dining room during that day. I 
think if we vote for this resolution, we should take it seriously. We 
should follow its dictates, and we should do what we are asking each of 
the American citizens to do. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I do not have any other speakers; so I would say, in closing, I would 
state that I am a strong believer in the first amendment. I believe in 
prayer, fasting. I believe that we should pray not only for our troops 
but that we pray to end this conflict as quickly as it could possibly 
be ended and as peacefully as it could be ended. I pray that the loss 
of life would be diminished as much as possible and that people who are 
fighting from the United States as well as those from other countries 
and other nations would have the power of an Almighty supreme force 
invoked so that all of us can escape this effort with as much hope, 
peace, and possibility as we can. I urge support for this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for his 
very thoughtful words and comments, and just to remind Members again 
that the most operative words in this resolution are what we resolve, 
that we designate a day for humility, prayer, and fasting for all 
people of the United States and call on all people of the United States 
to observe the day as a time of prayer and fasting, to seek guidance 
from God to achieve a greater understanding of our own failings to 
learn how we can do better in our everyday activities, and to gain 
resolve in meeting the challenges that confront our Nation.
  I believe that resolve is so in line with the spirit of what our 
Founding Fathers did in years before.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Akin), who was the presenter of this resolution. I 
thank him for that.
  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for his 
remarks and for a moment to talk about something that is so much a 
pattern of America's history.
  If we go back to the early days of our system of republics, we go 
back to the time in 1774 when there was a day of fasting and prayer 
that was called by the Virginia House of Burgesses. That was where 
Patrick Henry, of course, made his famous speech.
  But I think perhaps historically one of the more amazing incidents 
occurred the next year, 1775, where the Governor of Connecticut called 
his State to a time of fasting and prayer for the people of Boston and 
the people of Massachusetts. He coincidentally called that time of 
fasting and prayer for the month of April on the 18th day. As it turned 
out, that was the exact day that the Redcoats left Boston in search of 
John Hancock and the weapons that they thought were being stored in 
Concord, Massachusetts, and the War of Independence began.
  That continues along. In fact, we had FDR, even going back to World 
War II time, talking about the fact that this is a war, really 
defending the idea that everybody should have equal rights because God 
gives them those equal rights. That was FDR making that comment in 
World War II. So we have a long history of a Nation that, when we get 
into an armed conflict, to turn to God and to ask His support and to 
humble ourselves before Him.
  That actually, though, if we think about it logically, is very 
consistent with the very purpose and cause of what America has always 
been about. If we really think about what is it that is the glue that 
defines America, what holds us together as a people, it is that belief 
that there is a God who grants to all of us certain basic and 
unalienable rights, the right to life, the light to liberty, the right 
to pursue the dream that God puts into everybody's heart. So we do not 
believe that that is just an American right, but that is something that 
is for all people everywhere, and it is that belief that has propelled 
our soldiers onto the battlefield and made us to stand strong in the 
face against many different types of tyrants, just as we are even at 
this day.
  So it is with these thoughts and these sentiments that we once again 
turn back to our traditions and to our history and ask and implore the 
Almighty God to watch over us, to remind us of our faults and places 
where we need to change our ways but also to strengthen us and to 
encourage us and help us to prevail because we do know, in fact, it is 
true that all people everywhere should have life and liberty and be 
allowed to pursue the dreams of their own hearts.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I have no other speakers, and I want to thank, before returning the 
balance of my time, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin) again for 
introducing this important resolution and also the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) for his thoughtful comments and support.
  I urge all Members to support the adoption of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Linder). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 153.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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