[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 51 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SECURING BLESSINGS OF PROVIDENCE FOR PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND 
                            OUR ARMED FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 153 and 
ask my colleagues to join me. This resolution declares the sense of 
Congress that the President of the United States should designate a 
national day of prayer, fasting and humility. At a time when many of 
our young men and women are engaged in a global war on terrorism and a 
campaign to disarm the Iraqi regime, it is entirely appropriate we 
should humble ourselves before Almighty God.
  Throughout American history, both the Congress and the President have 
called on the American people to acknowledge the Providence of God and 
to seek his divine wisdom. We have witnessed the benefits of national 
prayer and fasting in times past, and we are today asking the President 
to once again proclaim such a day. While the challenges we face in the 
21st Century are new, we know the root causes of these difficulties are 
much the same as they have always been.
  It is with the hope that good will ultimately triumph that we are 
asking for all people to collectively acknowledge God and seek 
guidance, strength and resolve through prayer and fasting.
  Many families all across this great nation are praying for a quick 
resolve to the conflict in Iraq. It is fitting that we as a nation join 
with them in solidarity during this time of war and chaos.
  As we hear new reports of those killed or missing in action, our 
hearts go out to the children and families of these brave men and women 
fighting oversees. Pfc. Patrick Miller, a constituent of mine, is among 
those Americans being held captive in Iraq. We are once again realizing 
the high cost of war and what it means to defend liberty.
  In recent years I think most Americans have been made more aware of 
just how fragile peace can be, both at home and abroad. America and the 
world have witnessed the destruction of innocent life and the violation 
of universal human rights by brutal men. In a time when the President 
and other leaders are deciding how to respond to these situations, it 
is vitally important we recognize a higher power than ourselves.
  Our Founding Fathers understood the necessity of seeking guidance 
from God, and today we are no less in need of that same Divine Counsel.
  During the Civil War Abraham Lincoln was asked if God was on his 
side. His reply was, ``Sir, my concern is not whether God is on my 
side. My great concern is to be on God's side.''
  In the same spirit of humility Abraham Lincoln exhibited during one 
of our nation's darkest hours, we are asking the President to call for 
a national day of prayer, humility and fasting.
  As we examine ourselves before God, we will surely be shown our own 
failings and will learn how we can do better in our actions. I am 
confident that as in times past, God will once again provide assistance 
to our country in our time of need.
  In 1787 Benjamin Franklin said, ``We need God as our friend not our 
enemy. We need him to be our ally not our adversary. We need to make 
sure that we keep God's concurring aid.''
  As Mr. Franklin wisely affirmed our need for God more than two 
centuries ago, once again we need to join together as a country in 
asking for the ``aid'' of the Almighty.

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