[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Lord God, we bear witness to the prayer of Your servant, John. Not 
sure Psalm 71 is one of his favorites, it seems, however, to spring 
from his lips. A speech not thundered in this Chamber, not enforced by 
the Chairman's gavel. This prayer is more of an intimate whisper 
lingering longer than any other.
  ``O God, be not far from me, my God, make haste to help me. I will 
always hope and praise You, ever more and more. My mouth shall declare 
Your justice, though I know not its full extent. O God, you have taught 
me from my youth and till the present moment, I proclaim Your wondrous 
deeds.''
  Today, Lord, we reflect on the faithful service of the Dean of the 
House. Tomorrow, the Honorable John Dingell of Michigan will become the 
longest serving Member in history. So we add our Amen to the psalmist's 
prayer: ``Lord, renew Your blessing upon me and comfort me over and 
over again.'' Amen.

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