[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING REV. DR. SILVESTER S. BEAMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Delaware, Congressman Castle, is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize 
and to thank Rev. Silvester Beaman, pastor of the Bethel African 
Methodist Episcopal Church in my hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, for 
leading the House in prayer this morning.
  Pastor Beaman's prayer, asking this body to be a voice for the 
voiceless, to help the hurting and to inspire the weary is a message 
for all of us which we should carry forward each and every day.
  Pastor Beaman is widely known for his passionate and uplifting 
sermons. When I visit his congregation, I am welcomed with open arms by 
an enthusiastic group of individuals. He has worked to grow his church 
to more than 2,000 members, and he oversees a youth mentoring program, 
a senior citizens ministry and an AIDS task force. His compassion has 
no limits, and his enthusiasm cannot be contained. It is for these 
reasons that I have asked him to come before us today and to lead us in 
prayer.
  I would be remiss if I did not recognize Pastor Beaman's wife and 
childhood sweetheart, Renee, and daughter, Asaiah, who are also with us 
today.
  Pastor Beaman, thank you for being here and for sharing your blessing 
with the U.S. House of Representatives.

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