[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H196-H197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MILITARY CHAPLAINS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRAY ACCORDING TO THEIR FAITH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have read reports, 
received letters, and seen

[[Page H197]]

documentation which verifies that suppression of religious freedom 
throughout our Armed Forces is a pervasive problem, affecting military 
chaplains from all denominations and religions.
  Of particular concern is an incident involving Army Captain Chaplain 
Jonathan Stertzbach. This chaplain who is serving our troops in harm's 
way in Iraq was asked by another unit, whose chaplain had to return 
home to start chemotherapy after cancer was discovered, to serve the 
spiritual needs of the unit's soldiers in weekly movement to an 
undisclosed FOB (Forward Operating Base). During a mission, tragically, 
one of the soldiers was killed in action. The unit's Commanding Officer 
asked this chaplain to perform the memorial ceremony because he had 
bravely served the soldiers and risked his own life.
  Before the memorial ceremony, the chaplain submitted two prayers for 
review. The Brigade Chaplain attempted to remove the chaplain from 
praying at the memorial ceremony because he concluded his prayer in the 
name of Jesus Christ. The chaplain, adhering to his conscience and 
faith tradition, said he would not strike the words Jesus Christ.
  The unit's Commanding Officer intervened, explaining that Chaplain 
Stertzbach volunteered to serve a different unit outside of his 
assigned unit and placed his life in harm's way to provide for the 
needs of the unit's soldiers. The Commanding Officer instructed that 
Chaplain Stertzbach would pray according to his faith tradition.
  After the incident, Chaplain Stertzbach's story reached the media. 
Consequently, his answers to the media and the incident surrounding the 
memorial ceremony resulted in Chaplain Stertzbach's removal from his 
chapel. This is unacceptable!
  Since the beginning of our nation's military, chaplains have played 
an integral role, fulfilling the spiritual and emotional needs of the 
brave men and women who serve--and they have always prayed according to 
their faith tradition. It is in the best interest of our Armed Services 
and this nation to guarantee the constitutional right of military 
chaplains to pray according to their faith.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, February 6, 2006.
     LTG Stanley E. Green,
     Department of the Army, The Inspector General, Army Pentagon, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear LTG Stanley Green: It has come to my attention that in 
     all branches of the military it is increasingly difficult for 
     chaplains to pray in adherence to their faith. I have read 
     reports, received letters, and seen documentation which 
     verifies that suppression of religious freedom throughout our 
     Armed Forces is a pervasive problem, affecting military 
     chaplains from all denominations and religions. Of particular 
     concern is an incident involving Army Captain Chaplain 
     Jonathan Stertzbach of the 3-6 FA HHB in Iraq. I am writing 
     to request that the Army Inspector General investigate 
     whether Chaplain Stertzbach was illegally removed from his 
     chapel.
       This chaplain who is serving our troops in harm's way in 
     Iraq was asked by another unit, whose chaplain had to return 
     home to start chemotherapy after cancer was discovered, to 
     serve the spiritual needs of the unit's soldiers in weekly 
     movement to an undisclosed FOB (Forward Operating Base) as 
     well as his own battalion. During one of the missions, 
     tragically, one of the soldiers was killed in action. The 
     unit's Commanding Officer asked this chaplain to perform the 
     Memorial Ceremony because he had bravely served the soldiers, 
     and gone to the risk of convoying to the FOB (Forward 
     Operating Base) weekly.
       Before the Memorial Ceremony, the chaplain submitted two 
     prayers and a meditation for the Division Chaplain and his 
     direct supervising chaplain to review and was approved. The 
     Brigade Chaplain, having just arrived from Fort Drum, 
     attempted to remove the chaplain from administering the 
     prayers of the Memorial Ceremony because he concluded his 
     prayer in the name of Jesus Christ in a public forum. The 
     chaplain, adhering to his conscience and faith tradition, 
     said he would not strike the words Jesus Christ.
       The unit's Commanding Officer intervened, explaining that 
     Chaplain Stertzbach volunteered to serve a different unit 
     outside of his assigned unit and placed his life in harm's 
     way to provide for the needs of the unit's soldiers. The 
     Commanding Officer instructed that Chaplain Stertzbach would 
     pray according to his faith tradition and the prayers that he 
     had already submitted. The Brigade Chaplain told him to 
     qualify his prayer at the beginning with ``Please pray 
     according to your faith tradition, as I pray according to 
     mine'' and then close the prayer with ``in thy name we pray, 
     and in Jesus' name I pray.'' Chaplain Stertzbach delivered 
     the Memorial Meditation and prayers for the fallen hero, but 
     still followed orders with the `qualifier' remaining in 
     place.
       After the incident, Chaplain Stertzbach's story reached the 
     media. The chaplain was directly contacted by the Washington 
     Times and referenced in a Washington Times January story. 
     Chaplain Stertzbach's incident was not printed, but he was 
     quoted as saying the following:
       ``You need to allow people to pray according to their faith 
     group. Many faith groups do not pray in general and generic 
     terms . . . For Christian groups, the name of Jesus is from 
     where all the power comes.''
       I believe Chaplain Stertzbach answered questions fairly, 
     accurately, and within his legal rights. Consequently, his 
     answers to the media and the incident surrounding the 
     memorial ceremony resulted in Chaplain Stertzbach's removal 
     from his chapel.
       I am concerned that Chaplain Stertzbach was removed without 
     justification. Again, I am requesting that you investigate 
     this incident and provide an explanation.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Walter B. Jones,
     Member of Congress.

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