[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 187 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9678-H9685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 3, 2017, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
General Leave
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous materials on the topic of my Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to come before
the House and be on the floor tonight to commemorate National Bible
Week. This is an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous influence of
the Bible on the freedoms we enjoy today in America.
We are truly blessed to live in a nation where we are free to worship
and read the Holy Scriptures without fear of persecution. There are
many places throughout the world where such freedoms do not exist.
Americans have the right, under our wonderful system of government,
to respect and study the Bible or any other system of belief if they so
choose, or even none at all. That is the beauty of the American way,
and I believe it all does go back to the Bible.
In 1941, as it says on the poster here, President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt declared the week of Thanksgiving to be National Bible Week.
The National Bible Association and the U.S. Conference of Bishops
have designated the specific days of November 18-24, this year, as
National Bible Week. This is the week set aside to recognize the Bible
as a foundational building block of American and Western civilization,
the Judeo-Christian heritage, and the legacy that motivated and shaped
the founding of the United States.
In this hour, we will hear from some of my colleagues here in
Congress from various faith traditions and denominations speak about
what the Bible means to them. We are here in keeping with tradition to
recognize National Bible Week.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative
Lamborn, and I appreciate his intentionality in bringing us together
each year to talk about this, having had that opportunity, now into my
fifth term, each year to remind ourselves of the impact of the Bible.
It has had a rich heritage in this country, a country that is free, a
country that offers liberty for all who would have personal beliefs,
religious and otherwise. It even allows freedom in this country, a
country that was truly established on Biblical principles, but,
nonetheless, it allows freedom for people to not even have a belief or
a religion.
I think that is the beauty of my understanding of the Bible in that
it is a book that offers freedom to people to come to understand it, to
read it, to have it impact their lives.
I can say for a fact that the Bible is more than just a book, a
historical book, a book of tradition, a book of writings of religious
perspective and spiritual nature; but, rather, it is a book that has
changed my life. It is a book that I believe, and I believe the facts
would bear it out as sincere people test it and search into the Bible
to see that it is truly a book that is God-given.
I remember the inscription in one of the earliest Bibles that I ever
had in my possession as a young boy. It was a book, as I recollect, a
Bible that was given as a reward for attendance in Sunday school, given
by my teacher. I had had other Bibles that I had gotten from my family,
hand-me-down Bibles that I had carried, but this, I think, was my first
Bible.
In that Bible inscription, it said: ``This book will keep you from
sin, or sin will keep you from this book.''
My friend and colleague, I think that was given by my Sunday school
teacher as, really, a point to encourage me from doing the normal thing
as a young boy would do. And that I wouldn't call sin. I would call it
bad behavior. But I know, ultimately, the Bible called it sin.
I found it to be true, that as that book became part of my life, that
it changed my life. While I have never achieved, to this very day--and
I admit that to you--perfection yet, that Bible altered my existence.
And when I did do those wrong things that the Bible calls sin, I was
convicted of that and I was encouraged to change.
An early verse that I remembered from the Bible came from Psalms, the
Book of Psalms, Psalms 119:11, that said: ``Your word I have treasured
in my heart, That I may not sin against You.''
The Bible is a practical book that is meant to change lives, to alter
the way we live, to impact others as well.
I think John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence,
one of our earliest officials, government officials, who happened to be
a minister as well, but served his country well, said: ``A republic
once equally poised must either preserve its virtue or lose its
liberty.''
[[Page H9679]]
I think he had the context there that virtue came from something
beyond humanity. It came from, in his mind, I am certain from other
readings I have read of John Whitherspoon, from his understanding of
the Word of God, the Bible, that ``a republic once equally poised must
either preserve its virtue,'' that virtue that comes from something
outside of ourselves, greater than ourselves, and given to God,
Himself, or else, without that virtue, we would lose our liberty.
He probably understood the principle found in Proverbs 14:34 that
said: ``Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any
people.'' That was written in the context of a great nation.
Righteousness built it up; sin tore it down.
John Adams, another one of our great leaders who understood Scripture
very well--and you just need to read his letters to his wife and his
wife's letters back to him, let alone his writings in relationship to
our government and our Constitution--said: ``Our Constitution is
designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate
for any other.'' And John Adams, in writing about what it meant to be a
holy and religious people, referred his life very clearly to the Bible,
God's Word.
The Bible is an amazing book. It is a controversial book, to say the
least. It is a comforting book. It is a challenging book. It is a
timeless book. And I have found it to be a book that is true, without
error, and it has changed my life.
Voltaire fought against the Bible in many different ways, writings
and otherwise, and he said it would be out of existence within 100
years of his life. Yet, in approximately 50 years after Voltaire's
death, the Gutenberg Bible was printed on Voltaire's printing press.
Isaiah 40:8 says: ``The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word
of our God''--the Bible--``stands forever.''
The truth of the Bible, God's Word, can never be forced on anyone;
but when it is honestly and sincerely considered, it changes lives. It
changed my life, and it continues to change my imperfect life.
The Bible says, in Psalms 119, the psalmist David wrote that--the
longest passage of Scripture in the entire Bible, an entire passage of
Scripture, the longest, written about his love for the Bible and the
Word of God. He says: ``Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to
my path.''
Ephesians 5, in the Bible, says: ``Therefore, be careful how you
walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time,
because the days are evil.''
My friend, we see that all over the world today, don't we? Evil, evil
things are happening, evil people doing evil things, hateful things,
hurtful things, horrific things. And none of those things are being
done after the pattern of what we find in the Bible.
It continues, in Ephesians, saying: ``So then do not be foolish, but
understand what the will of the Lord is.'' And that will is found in
His Word, the Bible.
``Trust in the Lord,'' Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ``with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways,
acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.''
The Bible continues to hold itself out as a straightener of paths,
pointing us to the source of life and the Savior who is the ultimate
message of the Bible whom to know personally is life eternal.
I thank God for the Bible. I thank God for the opportunity even
tonight to talk about the Bible in this august Chamber with my
colleagues and to remember the impact that the Bible, the Scripture,
has had on this great Nation and, I trust, will continue to have on
this Nation; and I offer it to any who would dare to consider its life-
changing message.
I thank God for the Bible.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, my friend from Michigan mentioned a few
things about the founding of our country, and so I would like to
mention this: Many of the early American settlers came to the New World
with the express purpose of following the Bible according to the
convictions of their own consciences.
{time} 1730
One of the first acts of Congress during the tumultuous beginning of
our Nation was the authorization of an American-published Bible.
The war with the British had cut off any supply of Bibles from
England. Our Founding Fathers understood how important it was for the
American people to have Bibles.
Robert Aitken, a private citizen, brought this need to the attention
of Congress. He wrote a letter and he said: `` . . . this work is an
object worthy the attention of the Congress of the United States of
America, who will not neglect spiritual security, while they are
virtuously contending for temporal blessings.''
In 1782, Congress reviewed, approved, and authorized the first known
English language Bible to be printed in America, and that Congressional
Resolution read: ``RESOLVED, THAT the United States in Congress
assembled, highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr.
Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an
instance of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied
from the above report, of his care and accuracy in the execution of the
work, they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of
the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this
Recommendation in the manner he shall think proper.''
Boy, what a great thing for Congress to do back in the 1700s. I
wonder if the incoming Congress will recommend a Bible to the American
people.
But it was certainly an important part of the founding of our
country, and I am so glad we have that heritage as a country.
Mr. Speaker, I yield time to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Bergman), my colleague.
Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman (Mr. Lamborn) for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and truly a God-given pleasure to be here
tonight to speak on the 77th anniversary of National Bible Week.
When you are among colleagues like we are here, 435 of us in the
House of Representatives, I feel as though I am among 434 other friends
and colleagues who celebrate like we do.
When I was 12 years old and was entering confirmation, my parents
presented me with my first Bible. I still have it. It is white, it had
a zipper. One of the most important memories I have that I can see
every day when I open it up is the original signature of both my
parents, who have since passed on, as they presented it to their son
who was entering confirmation.
The first thing I did, in the middle of the Bible there was a section
where you could put in your family tree, because they wanted to do
that, so I wrote in my own 12-year-old handwriting at that point the
family tree. And, again, it is still in the Bible, so I get a chance
not only to review the Word of God, but also remembering how that
affected my family as they had persevered through the Great Depression
and World War II.
But when we think about what our parents and grandparents did, and
our founders did to create the country that we live in today, it is
important to remember that they did that. And we are blessed, so
blessed, that we live in a country where we can study the Word of God
and gather and worship freely without the threat of persecution.
In a time where it seems that there is no ultimate truth, we can take
comfort in knowing that the truth of the Bible is unchanging and
eternal. These truths do not discriminate. They are for everyone
everywhere, and today is a great example of this.
Today we have Members of Congress from different regions and walks of
life all coming together to celebrate the Bible as the very foundation
upon which our Nation was built. This is something we must not just
say, but we should live out.
Micah 6:8 says: ``And what does the Lord require of you, but to act
justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.''
I pray that this is a scripture that I honor not only as a Member of
Congress, but in every day of my life.
The Bible has made an indelible mark on our Nation's history. From
our founding to this very day, the Bible has helped guide, instruct,
and inform those who have served in this great body.
John Adams may have said it best when he said: ``The Bible contains
the
[[Page H9680]]
most profound philosophy, the most perfect morality, and the most
refined policy that ever was conceived upon Earth.''
As families in the First District of Michigan and all throughout the
country gather together for the holidays, let's give thanks for our
loved ones, the freedoms we have in the United States of America, and
the truths of the Bible upon which our Nation was founded.
And in the finest traditions of the Lutheran religion, at this point
I would just like to thank the Speaker for the time and pass the peace.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for being here tonight
and for all of his work in Congress. We are honored to have him as one
of our colleagues. I appreciate his service as a veteran for many years
in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to talk for a few minutes about an experience
I had when I was younger, and then turn it over to another one of my
colleagues.
When I was 18 years old and a freshman at the University of Kansas,
someone asked me if I knew what the Bible was about, and I said, yeah,
I know what it was about. But then I thought about it and I realized
that my answer was really pretty presumptuous, because I had never
actually read any of it.
So, Mr. Speaker, I wonder if this might be true for anyone who is
listening today. The only honest thing I could do at that point was to
read the Bible for myself. So I started by reading for myself in the
Gospel of John in the New Testament. When I read it, I discovered that
I hadn't known at all what the Bible was about.
In that Gospel, Jesus says: ``I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.''
And I ended up discovering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
who became my Lord and savior.
So, Mr. Speaker, this is what I know from personal experience: it is
better to read the Bible for oneself, and not just take someone else's
word for what is in it, or something they might read on the Internet.
For me, it made all of the difference in the world. My life has been
totally different since then as a result.
As King David says in Psalms: ``The unfolding of Your words gives
light, it gives understanding to the simple.''
As we celebrate National Bible Week, we remember the importance of
faith in both our private and public lives; we recognize its powerful
message of hope; and we cherish the wisdom of the Bible and we thank
God for providing this Holy book that has truly been, as has been said
already tonight, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure to rise here tonight
with my friends and colleagues in recognition of National Bible Week,
which we celebrated last week during the Thanksgiving holiday.
It is my privilege to stand in this chamber tonight, as God has led
me to be here to tell you what the Bible means to me and the impact it
has had on the history of this Nation.
Throughout our country, we are seeing a distinct level of division
that is evident in this very body and all across our land.
In Exodus, God created the law, the Ten Commandments, and instituted
a government to carry out the law, saying: ``Appoint judges and
officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is
giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly . . . Follow justice
and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord
your God is giving you.''
Right now, I am looking at the face of Moses over the entry to this
House chamber.
Government was instituted by God for one purpose: to restrain evil
and promote good.
We must ensure that in this body and throughout our government, that
we are always working toward this purpose.
Mark 3:24 says: ``If a kingdom is divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand.''
During trying times and always, we must turn to the word of our God
and trust that He will lead us on a path to righteousness, as the truth
can always be found in our faith in Him. And, my fellow Americans, the
truth shall set you free.
One of the first Scriptures I memorized was Joshua 1:8. It says:
``This book of the law,'' the Bible, ``shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.''
I have prayed over this scripture and believe all who pray and follow
the word of the Lord will be granted all the wonderful promises God has
made through His word, like He has done with me and as He did with
Abraham in Genesis 15:6: ``Abraham believed the Lord and he credited it
to Him as righteousness.''
As I have traveled Georgia's 12th District, I remind folks that we
are all just stewards of what God has given us and we must be obedient
to God's word to keep it.
Psalms 24:1 tells us: ``The Earth is the Lord's, and everything in
it, the world, and all who live in it.''
Everything belongs to God.
We must ask for God's blessing and protection. It says that in the
Bible.
As we enter the Christmas season, we must all remember the importance
of this day as we celebrate the birth of the savior of the world.
Earlier this year, the late Billy Graham lay in honor in our Capitol.
I have read his inaugural prayer as a reminder every week for the past
16 years. I would like to share it with you now.
``Our Father and our God, Thou hast said, `Blessed is that Nation
whose God is the Lord.' We recognize on this historic occasion that we
are `a Nation under God.'
``We thank Thee for this torch of faith handed to us by our
forefathers. May we never let it be extinguished. Thou alone hast given
us our prosperity, our freedom and our power. This faith in God is our
heritage and our foundation.
``Thou hast warned us in the Scriptures, `If the foundations be
destroyed, what can the righteous do?'
``As George Washington reminded us in his farewell address, morality
and faith are the pillars of our society.
``We confess these pillars are being eroded in an increasingly
materialistic and permissive society.
``The whole world is watching to see if the faith of our fathers will
stand the trials and tests of the hour.
``Too long we have neglected Thy word and ignored Thy laws. Too long
we have tried to solve our problems without reference to Thee.
``Too long we have tried to live by bread alone. We have sown to the
wind and are now reaping a whirlwind of crime, division, and rebellion.
``And now with the wages of our sins staring us in the face, we
remember Thy words, `If my people who are called by my Name shall
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will
heal their land.'''
My fellow Americans, this prayer was offered on the inauguration 49
years ago.
As I talk to you at this time, our Nation, many have told me that we
are at a crossroads.
My prayer is this: that God has given us His word, and as far as me
and my household, we shall worship the Lord.
Thank you and God bless you.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for his
contribution to tonight's Special Order.
He mentioned a passage that was also referenced by Ronald Reagan, and
let me highlight that with you, because throughout American history,
many of our great leaders have turned to the Bible for guidance, hope,
and faith.
For instance, President Abraham Lincoln once said of the Bible, ``I
have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good
the savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But
for it, we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable
for man's welfare here and hereafter are found portrayed in it.''
And another one of our greatest presidents, in my opinion, President
Ronald Reagan, in his own National Bible Week declaration, which we are
celebrating, wrote when he was in office: ``When I took the oath of
office, I requested the Bible be opened to II Chronicles 7:14 . . . ''
and we just heard
[[Page H9681]]
from that. And President Reagan went on: `` . . . which reads, `If my
people, which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.'''
The President also said: ``This passage expresses my hopes for the
future of this Nation and the world.''
{time} 1745
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway),
chairman of the Agriculture Committee and a colleague of mine on the
Armed Services Committee.
Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the time and for
leading this effort tonight to recognize National Bible Week and the
importance of it.
Mr. Speaker, above your head is emblazoned the national motto of our
country, which says, ``In God we Trust.'' We all say that quite often,
but, quite frankly, we have no idea of how to trust in a God that we
don't know anything about. So the question is: How do we know God and
we know we can trust Him?
Mr. Speaker, we know God because the inspired Word of God is the
Bible. Through the chapters of the Old Testament and the New Testament,
those truths are laid out by which we can know God and understand His
ways, or try to understand His ways, try to understand the fact that
His Son came to this Earth and lived and died to save us from our sins,
that we might rely on Him as our personal savior and the only gateway
in which we can spend eternal life in Heaven, but is also here for us
to live our daily lives day-to-day. In the truths of the Bible, we can
live our lives, interact with each other, and do that in a way that is
pleasing to God.
John Adams wrote that only a moral and religious people can self-
govern. We have enjoyed a self-governance scheme of governance now for
242 years, but that moral and religious high ground that John Adams was
referencing is founded in the truths of the Bible.
If each of us is free to decide what is true on our own, then we are
in big trouble. That is where our Nation is leading us today. We are
separating ourselves from that moral high ground that is laid out in
the Bible in very clear and convincing terms to our own peril.
There are a lot of things going on in this Nation that God can't
bless. Most of us here tonight would argue that we are a blessed
nation: blessed with resources, blessed with oceans on both sides that
have protected us during the infancy of our Nation, blessed with
hardworking people, blessings up and down the list in which God has
blessed us.
Are we, in fact, a blessable people? When God looks at America today,
does He look at a people who are blessable or worthy of being blessed?
We have things going on in our Nation today, Mr. Speaker, that are an
abomination. We have killed 60 million babies in 45 years. God can't
long bless a nation who stays on that path of killing those infants.
Putting it a different way, those early children who were aborted
following Roe v. Wade would be 45 years old today. They would be at the
prime of life. They would be leaders in this Nation. They would be
doctors, lawyers, researchers, scientists, and others who might have
made this world an entirely different place, a much better place than
it is. But they were not allowed to live those lives that God had
planned in the womb for each of those lives to the fullest. This Nation
can't long continue to be blessed if we stay on that path.
How do you correct that? You reclaim that moral high ground by living
a moral code.
I live the Judeo-Christian moral code that is set forth in the Bible
we are honoring tonight. Jesus Christ is my personal savior, and I will
spend eternity in Heaven based on His death, resurrection, and my
belief in that.
We as a nation must begin to turn back to that code. Each one of us
have to live that code in order to reclaim that moral high ground. We
can't legislate it in these votes in this Chamber. You can't do it in
the State capitols. You can't do it in county commissioner's courts, or
you can't do it in city council chambers. This is a decision that each
one of us has to make personally to make that happen.
2 Chronicles 7:14, the promise out of the Old Testament, has been
referenced several times tonight. It is a promise that God has made
that we can claim. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I would argue that our Nation
has never been in more need of claiming that promise than we are
tonight.
Turning from our wicked ways is the key phrase in that passage.
Obviously, seeking God's face and praying is the next step. But we have
to turn from the wicked ways, and that involves deciding what, in fact,
is and is not wicked. The basis for that decision is in the Scriptures
of the Bible, the inspired Word of God that we are honoring here
tonight.
My call is that we claim that promise and that we begin to lead those
moral and religious lives that are required to continue to self-govern.
If we don't, then self-governance will be lost on future Americans.
Think about this last idea. We celebrated this month since the end of
World War I. The last 100 years, I would argue, there has never been a
nation that has done as much good for the rest of the world and asked
so little in return as the United States of America.
I personally believe that was God's divine mission for us as a
nation, to protect liberty and freedom, the way that we have done the
last 100 years. Looking at the next 100 years, Mr. Speaker, who will
take up that mantle if we lay it down or it is taken away from us? Are
we going to look to China, Russia, or radical Islam to protect freedom
and defend liberty the way we have done the last 100 years? I would
argue that is not what is going to happen.
If those truths are going to be defended and available to future
generations of all of us in the world, then America must reclaim the
moral high ground and protect self-governance the way we must.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important week. I appreciate my colleagues'
conversations tonight. I would ask that God continue to bless each and
every one of us, that God bless Texas, and that God continue to bless
the United States of America.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his words and for
his service to our country.
The gentleman mentioned: How do we know this book is true? People put
a lot of faith in it, sometimes to the point of death, but how do they
know it is really true?
One reason many people respect the Bible and believe it is that it
has prophesied and told future events which came true exactly as
foretold. In the Old Testament, there are many predictions that were
given to prove that the speaker, who claimed to be a prophet, was
divinely inspired so, if and when those predictions came true, it would
validate the words of that prophet; if they did not come true, it
showed him to be a false prophet.
The Book of Daniel, for instance, contains scores of detailed
prophecies that were literally fulfilled. Skeptics have fallen back to
the position that Daniel must have written after the fact because those
prophecies were so amazingly precise and did come true.
But we know, later, through history and archeology, that the Book of
Daniel was found in its entirety in the Greek's Septuagint version and
partially in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Both of those predated the events
that were prophesied, so those prophecies were made in advance of the
historical events which came true.
The rise and fall of empires, the capture and destruction of cities,
and the destiny of kings all were prophesied about in minute detail.
This is an example where archeology and history have literally
confirmed those and hundreds of other such prophecies as having come
true, which is a validation of the truth of the Bible.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson),
the incoming chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague,
Congressman Lamborn, for organizing this Special Order, recognizing the
77th annual National Bible Week in America. As we know and has been
said today, this is a declaration that was first
[[Page H9682]]
made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt just weeks before the start of
World War II.
As we do on this occasion every year, my colleagues and I extol the
virtues of the Holy Bible. It is the most widely published, widely
read, most influential book in all of human history.
Of course, to us, as Christians, we know that it is more than just a
``good book.'' We order our lives upon this book. Indeed, as Hebrews
4:12 proclaims: ``The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the
heart.''
What I want to address in my brief remarks today is one of the common
misconceptions that exist about the use of the Bible in our public
school classrooms. This is a very practical issue that many of us have
to address back home.
Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, I joined with my good friend,
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is a former distinguished
Member of this body, to create this free joint publication that we
entitled, ``The Louisiana Student Rights Review: Answers to Common
Questions about Religious Freedom in Schools.'' Because there are so
many questions, we wanted to make a user-friendly guide for parents,
teachers, coaches, school administrators, and school systems around our
State to answer those frequently asked questions.
One of the big questions we answered for all those stakeholders,
interest groups, and students was this one, and it comes right out of
page 4 of our publication. It says: ``Can the Bible and other religious
texts be used appropriately in a public school classroom?''
This is the simple answer that we gave. We said: ``Yes.''
More than half a century ago, the U.S. Supreme Court clarified that
``the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic
qualities,'' and that such study of the Bible or of religion, when
presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, is
perfectly lawful when relevant and appropriate to the subject matter of
the class.
We cited in here the Supreme Court cases that make that very clear.
There really isn't any legal ambiguity about this at all.
Unfortunately, there are a number of interest groups on the other
side of this issue that engage in a campaign of fear, misinformation,
and intimidation. They try to convince Americans and public school
children all across the country that religion is somehow a bad thing,
is off limits, and that you can't have your Bible on school campus, but
it is just simply not true.
Mr. Speaker, this is so important for everybody to understand.
Contrary to widespread belief, the Bible never has been banned from
public schools, and it is, indeed, an appropriate course of study,
especially to promote academic excellence and cultural literacy.
Here is the important point. The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy
observes this: ``No one in the English-speaking world can be considered
literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible. . . . The Bible is
essential for understanding many of the moral and spiritual values of
our culture, whatever our religious beliefs.''
That is precisely correct.
We should ask ourselves: How can students possibly be considered well
educated if they have no basic understanding of the Bible's profound
influence upon the development of our country, law, politics, culture,
literature, music, art, history, and virtually every aspect of Western
civilization?
When the Bible is removed from classrooms, it has the effect of
denying students a complete understanding of history. For this reason,
as a service to the next generation of Americans, every Member of this
body should strongly encourage the study of the Bible as an appropriate
part of the program of education in our public and private schools all
over this country. I certainly believe in that idea, and I know that
all my colleagues here today would agree wholeheartedly.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for arranging
this Special Order.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).
Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado
for recognizing me to speak here on this Special Order to honor
National Bible Week.
It starts off, for me, this way, Mr. Speaker. I will go to Psalm
139:13: ``For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my
mother's womb.''
God knew us all in the womb. At the moment that we were formed in our
mother's womb, from that moment of fertilization, that moment of
conception, He gave us life. I believe that is also the instant that He
places the soul in all of us who are created in His image.
Once we recognize that and we recognize also that our Founding
Fathers understood this as well when they laid out the prioritized
rights in the Declaration of Independence--and they prioritized these
rights as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It
wasn't just pulling three different words out of a grab bag and putting
them up there in the Declaration of Independence, but, instead, they
were prioritized.
Our pursuit of happiness cannot trample on anyone else's liberty or
life, and exercise of our liberty cannot take someone else's life. Life
is the paramount right, and this is natural law. It is God's law. It is
the laws of nature and nature's God.
I serve here in this Congress, and, for all the time that I have been
here, the priority has always been to protect innocent unborn human
life. That has brought about H.R. 490, the Heartbeat bill.
I wear this pin on my lapel, Mr. Speaker, every day because I believe
it saves those lives. H.R. 490 protects every baby that can be detected
with a heartbeat. If a heartbeat can be detected, the baby is
protected.
I want to announce here tonight that we are very close to being able
to say that we will have a markup in the Judiciary Committee very soon
on the Heartbeat bill, H.R. 490, which protects the life of every baby
with a heartbeat, a certain indicator of life.
{time} 1800
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his work on that
important and vital piece of legislation.
I would now like to yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend very much. We have been
friends a long time and brothers in Christ during all of that time.
It is important to give proper recognition where that recognition is
due and, actually, the words of John Adams, our first Vice President
under our Constitution, who wrote to Thomas Jefferson on Christmas Day
1813 and said: ``I have examined all, as well as my narrow sphere, my
straitened means, and my busy life would allow me; and the result is
that the Bible is the best book in the world. It contains more of my
little philosophy than all the libraries I have seen; and such parts of
it as I cannot reconcile to my little philosophy, I postpone for future
investigation.''
It also should be noted that it was the first thing that was
published. It was in 1782, the United States Congress authorized the
printing and said that: ``Whereupon, Resolved, That the United States
in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking
of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an
instance of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied
from the above report, of his care and accuracy in the execution of the
work, they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of
the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this
recommendation. . . . `'
That was the Bible. And even a letter from George Washington, wishing
that that had been published in time that he could have made a gift to
every one of the soldiers in the Revolution.
But this is a statement--this is my uncle's little New Testament. On
the front, in metal, it says: ``May the Lord be with you.'' It was
given to the members of the military in World War II. And inside it
says: ``The White House, Washington. As Commander in Chief, I take
pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve in the
Armed Forces of the United States. Throughout the centuries, men of
many faiths and diverse origins have
[[Page H9683]]
found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel, and inspiration. It
is a fountain of strength and now, as always, an aid in attaining the
highest aspirations of the human soul.'' Signed, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
It was an inspiration then. It is an inspiration now. As C.S. Lewis
said: This is our messages from our home headquarters while we are
behind what he called rebel-occupied territory in this world where the
prince of darkness is too often found.
It has been the most quoted book in the history of Congress, and I
would hope and pray that will continue.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks and
his words.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk).
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Colorado for
yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, ours is not the first nation in history to win its
sovereignty through a war for independence. Many nations in the history
of the world were established by rebellion against tyrannical
governments.
The beginning of most of these rebellions can be identified by a
single, predominant leader who, through their influence, inspired
people to follow their cause. But the founding of the United States of
America is unique because there wasn't one, but hundreds of influencers
who led their towns, counties, and colonies towards independence.
Ironically, while America's fight for independence centered on the
idea of liberty for each individual, it was a collective body of
influencers who rallied around a common cause that sparked the flames
of liberty. That common cause was a bond, a strong belief in the moral
and spiritual authority of the Bible.
As a newly formed nation, America's future faced numerous internal
and external obstacles. The concern of sustaining our new Nation didn't
grow over time, but was an immediate concern of our Founders.
According to Maryland delegate Dr. James McHenry, as the delegates
were emerging from the Constitutional Convention at Independence Hall,
a lady asked Dr. Benjamin Franklin: ``Dr. Franklin, what have we got, a
republic or a monarchy.''
``A Republic,'' replied the doctor, ``if you can keep it.''
You see, Benjamin Franklin was well aware of how fragile our new
government was. Just a few weeks earlier, when it appeared that the
Constitutional Convention was in jeopardy of falling apart, Benjamin
Franklin stood and reminded the delegates that there was one thing
missing in their deliberations.
Franklin said: ``The small progress we have made after 4 or 5 weeks .
. . is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human
understanding. How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once
thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our
understandings? . . . I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I
live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs
in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground
without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His
aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that `except
the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly
believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we
shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of
Babel.''
Mr. Speaker, if our Nation, as Benjamin Franklin defined it, could
not have been founded without the guidance and divine intervention of
God, then how can we sustain it if we as a government have abandoned
these ideas and principles?
The answers for every challenge we face today as a nation isn't
within the Halls of Congress. It is not in the White House or in the
Supreme Court. The answer to these challenges exist in the pages of the
sacred text, of this ancient book, which is as relevant today as it was
for generations that preceded us.
The sooner we get back to these basic principles, Mr. Speaker, the
sooner we can restore the promises of freedom, equality, and liberty
for everyone.
Mr. Speaker, ours is not the first nation in history to win its
sovereignty through a war for independence, many nations in the history
of the world were established by rebellion against tyrannical
governments. The beginnings of most rebellions can be identified by a
single, predominate leader who, through their influence, inspired the
people to follow their cause. In ancient Israel, it was King David, for
Scotland it was William Wallace, England had Cornwallis and France had
Napoleon Bonaparte.
But the founding of the United States of America is unique because
there was not one, but hundreds of influencers who lead their towns,
counties and colonies towards independence.
Ironically, while America's fight for independence centered on the
idea of liberty for the individual, it was a collective body of
influencers who rallied around a common cause that sparked the flames
of liberty. However, there was a common thread that bound our Founders
together. That bond was a strong belief in the moral and spiritual
authority of the Bible.
Our Founders and national leaders strongly held the belief that
religion, morality, principles and virtue were the pillars of our
society and the strength of our government. They also recognized that
the knowledge and understanding of our national heritage, and its
Biblical foundations, were also of the utmost importance in sustaining
our young nation.
As a newly formed nation, America's future faced numerous internal
and external obstacles. The concern of sustaining our new nation didn't
grow over time but was an immediate concern of our Founders. According
to Maryland delegate, Dr. James McHenry, as the delegates were emerging
from Independence Hall at the close of the Constitutional Convention,
``A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or
a monarchy. A republic replied the Doctor if you can keep it.''
Benjamin Franklin was well aware of how fragile our government would
be if separated from the religious and moral foundations on which it
was built. Just a few weeks earlier, when it appeared that the
Constitutional Convention was in jeopardy of falling apart, Benjamin
Franklin stood and reminded the delegates that there was one thing
missing in their deliberations. Franklin said;
``The small progress we have made after four or five weeks, . . . is
methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human
Understanding . . . How has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto
once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate
our understandings? . . . ``I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the
longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God
governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise
without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings,
that ``except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build
it.'' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his
concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better
than the Builders of Babel:''
Mr. Speaker, if our nation, as Benjamin Franklin defined it, could
not have been founded without the guidance and divine intervention of
God, then how can we sustain it if we, as a government, have abandoned
these ideas and principles?
Over the period of the last year, I have had first-hand experience of
crime and violence. Our nation has been inundated with acts of evil and
violence over the past several years and it seems to me that the most
immediate reaction by some of our elected representatives, especially
those in Congress, is to create more laws. However, according to one of
our Founders, Benjamin Rush, creating more law is the wrong approach to
end crime and violence.
Benjamin Rush, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a
physician, and educator but he is best known as the ``Father of
Public Schools.'' Benjamin Rush advised us ``In contemplating the
political institutions of the United States, I lament that we waste so
much time and money in punishing crimes, and take so little pains to
prevent them. We profess to be republicans and yet we neglect the only
means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of
government; that is, the universal education of our youth in the
principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.''
According to Benjamin Rush, the best way to avoid violence and crime
is to teach morality to our children. However, Benjamin Rush wasn't the
only advocate of teaching biblical principles in our schools. The
author of the preamble of our Constitution, Gouverneur Morris also
believed in the importance of teaching the Bible as a core subject in
America's schools, he stated ``Religion is the only solid basis of good
morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion and
the duties of man towards God.''
Today, we have not only veered away from teaching these ideas in our
schools, in some
[[Page H9684]]
school systems even the very mention of the Bible will prompt a rash of
court challenges. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note that these
lawsuits claim that the use of the Bible or prayers in our schools
violates the ``establishment clause'' of the first Amendment of the
Constitution. However, it is ironic that the author of the freedom of
religion clause, Fisher Ames, stated; ``Should not the Bible regain the
place it once held as a schoolbook? Its morals are pure, its examples
are captivating and noble. . . . In no Book is there so good English,
so pure and so elegant, and by teaching all the same they will speak
alike, and the Bible will justly remain the standard of language as
well as of faith.''
Mr. Speaker, our Founders believed that the Bible played an important
role in education, but they also believed it was a foundation of our
government. As the second President of these United States, John Adams,
often spoke of the importance that religion and morality holds in our
national government. In a speech to officers of the Massachusetts
militia Adams explained that, ``We have no government armed with power
capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and
religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the
strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our
Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is
wholly inadequate to the government of any other.''
In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, John Adams reiterates the principles
on which our nation was established, and the basis of our moral
guidelines was the Bible. Adams wrote ``I have examined all religions,
as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life,
would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the
world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have
seen.''
Thomas Jefferson also acknowledged that the Bible was the source of
the standards of moral conduct for America; he wrote ``Of all the
systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my
observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus.''
The importance of the Bible and its moral foundations was not just
limited to the Executive and Legislative branches. John Jay, the first
Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court expressed his
sentiments on the importance of a society that holds to Biblical
principles. The most effective way to preserve peace among the people
of our nation and to avoid war with others, Jay wrote, ``. . . is by
extending the prevalence and influence of the gospel. Real Christians
will abstain from violating the rights of others, and therefore will
not provoke war . . .''
I think it is most appropriate to conclude my remarks, by using the
words of another influential American, Noah Webster. Webster is most
known for his contributions to early American education and is
considered the ``Schoolmaster to America'' and the ``Father of American
Scholarship and Education.''
Noah Webster admonished us to, ``. . . not forget the religious
character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high
veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and
labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the
elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all
their institutions, civil, political, or literary. Let us cherish these
sentiments, and extend this influence still more widely; in full
conviction that that is the happiest society which partakes in the
highest degree of the mild and peaceful spirit of Christianity.''
The answers for every challenge we face today as a nation isn't
within the halls of Congress, in the White House or in the Supreme
Court. The answer to these challenges exists in the pages of the sacred
texts of this ancient text that is as relevant to us today, as it was
for the generations that have preceded us. The sooner that we get back
to these basic principles, the sooner we can restore the promises of
freedom, equality and liberty for everyone.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from
Colorado, Doug Lamborn, for yielding to me.
As we celebrate the 77th annual National Bible Week, I want to remind
you that it falls on the same week as Thanksgiving, a very appropriate
time for a book that I am very, very thankful for, a book that men like
William Tyndale died for. He was burned at the stake simply for
translating the Bible into English.
I come to the floor today to speak on what the Bible means to me.
Simply put, the Bible means everything to me. It has shaped the way
that I live my life. It has helped me serve the people of the 36th
District of Texas through two terms.
It has not always been an easy job, but through the trials and hard
days, I find comfort in the words from some of my favorite Scriptures.
The same is true on the good days. I rejoice that the Lord has chosen
me to serve in such a time as this.
Our country was founded on great principles, many of which are
Scriptural. Our Founders wanted this country to have a strong Judeo-
Christian faith. We see this truth throughout our Constitution and
through the writings of the time: ``We hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,'' one of the most profound
phrases in our Declaration of Independence that acknowledged God's role
in our founding.
America was founded on our covenant with our Lord, and that covenant
is spelled out in the only written record that we have of these great
truths, and that is the Bible.
It saddens me to see our country moving away from these great
principles who many consider passe. It is a roadmap for our lives if we
would look. These same principles have allowed our country to endure
war, division, and depression.
I worry about the future of my 14 beautiful grandchildren if we as a
nation do not return to the Bible as it continues to weather the test
of time. It is the only one thing that we as Christians have that is
divinely inspired, perfect in every way, immutable, never changing, and
never will.
Its principles and teachings can be applied to every season, every
year, and throughout every stage of our lives. It also gives us a
picture of the perfect love and the perfect sacrifice of our Savior.
John 3:16 tells us: ``God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.''
We all fall short in sin. None are perfect, but no matter how
egregious the sin, through Jesus, we are all forgiven.
There are no words to express everything that the Bible has done for
my life. From my youth to my marriage, to my time raising my family in
east Texas, my career as a dentist and my time here as a Congressman, I
have relied on the God-inspired words in both the Old and New Testament
to guide me and teach me, and it has never let me down.
I will leave you with an encouraging verse from Job in the Old
Testament, that our souls are indeed eternal:
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the Earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his
words.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Lamborn
for setting aside this Special Order.
We are following up National Bible Week, so as the listeners know,
National Bible Week is the week surrounding Thanksgiving.
Why is National Bible Week relevant to us today? As those of us who
look at America and see storm clouds ahead, we have got to remember
John Adams' statement: ``Our Constitution was only for a moral
religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any
other.''
We have to remember, if we are going to continue to enjoy the
benefits we have of our Constitution, we must one more time become that
moral and religious people who John Adams warned us we had to be.
One more quote from John Adams on the Bible: ``A society that adopted
the Bible as its only law book and lived according to its precepts
would be a utopia.''
So, clearly, by a moral and religious people, John Adams meant a
people who believe in the Bible.
Now, which parts of the Bible did our forefathers look at? There are
quotes all over the place from our forefathers in the Bible.
It kind of surprised me a couple of years ago when I found out that
the
[[Page H9685]]
book in the Bible that our forefathers quoted the most was Deuteronomy.
How often, when you hear somebody quote a Bible verse, do they turn to
Deuteronomy? Not very often.
Why did our forefathers turn to Deuteronomy? Because the rules and
the buildup to the founding of Israel took place in the Book of
Deuteronomy, which may have largely been by Moses himself.
And I will point out in the room that we are right now, we have a
relief of Moses. We have 30-some reliefs of various great thinkers
throughout society in this room, but whoever put together this room in
the Capitol put Moses in the head position overlooking this Chamber.
Now, I will encourage listeners out there, including clergy, as they
reflect on National Bible Week, to read a book of the Bible you usually
don't read. Read Deuteronomy. Tell your congregation about it. It
was the book that I think our forefathers felt should be read so that
we could duplicate the Jewish republic, which was soon to be founded,
because I think our forefathers wanted America to be a country blessed
by God as well.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Lamborn one more time
for setting aside this time on National Bible Week.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for
his remarks on Deuteronomy which contains, among others, the passages,
the reciting of the Ten Commandments.
I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Budd).
Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado,
Doug Lamborn, for yielding. He is one of the buckles of the Bible Belt
in Colorado and in our country, and I thank him for this time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the 77th annual National Bible Week,
as so many of my colleagues are doing this evening.
The late Reverend Billy Graham from my home State of North Carolina
was put to rest just down this hallway earlier this year. We are
grateful for his life and for what he meant to our home State in North
Carolina. He said: ``Being a Christian is more than just an
instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be
more and more like Christ.''
Well, what does the daily process that Reverend Graham is referring
to here look like? And how do we obtain a life that looks more and more
like Christ daily?
I believe the answer is found, in part, by daily thought and
meditation on the Word of God, and I wholeheartedly believe 2 Timothy
3:16 and 17, that says: ``All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training
in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for
every good work.''
We also know that the Word of God is alive, so my colleagues have
referred to this verse in Hebrews 4:12, which says: ``For the word of
God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and the spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart.''
{time} 1815
I could go on and on. But, again, I want to say how important this
book is to me. For those who are in need of strength and direction, if
they went to the middle, they will find the Psalms. If they go just to
the right, they will find the Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:5-6: ``Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not
lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and
He will make straight your paths.''
Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Colorado for this Special
Order.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B.
Hice).
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here to
stand in belief and on behalf of the greatest book of the history of
the world, the Bible.
There is absolutely no book ever that has had a greater impact on my
life and continues to have the greatest impact on my life. Every day
here in Congress, I begin with time in God's Word, every day before
coming to this Chamber and other meetings and responsibilities.
As a pastor for 25-plus years, it has been the greatest honor of my
life to teach God's Word week in and week out, to proclaim the
principles of spiritual liberty and freedom that comes from a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ and the fact that he died for us and
rose again. The good news, as it is referred to in the Scripture, is
the greatest news the world has ever had.
The Bible has also had an amazing impact in our country. Right here
in this Chamber, as has been referenced already this evening from some
of my other colleagues, Robert Aitken came here from Scotland. He
migrated here to Philadelphia and started a newspaper. He later became
the publishing company that recorded the Journals of both the House and
the Senate. Then he requested that this Chamber publish the Bible in
English, which this Chamber voted to do in September of 1782.
This Chamber encouraged the citizens of this country to read the
Bible. It became the Bible of the American Revolution.
I believe today that this Chamber, this country, would be well
served, better served, if we would take the teachings of Scripture.
Things like not to view ourselves and esteem ourselves more highly as
we ought, but to esteem others as more important than ourselves;
Scriptures like the Golden Rule, to treat others the way we want to be
treated; to not be overcome with evil but to overcome evil with good,
all these are found in the Word of God.
These issues that we face today cannot be answered from the wisdom of
these Halls, but they can be found only as we submit ourselves, once
again, to the truths of God's Word.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for giving this opportunity
and leading this Special Order.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire from the Speaker
how much time is remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Smucker). The gentleman from Colorado
has 30 seconds remaining.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank everyone who came here. I
appreciate their great comments.
Thousands of years ago, Isaiah said: ``The grass withers, the flower
fades, but the word of our God stands forever.''
Civilizations have come and gone; people have come and gone; and
generations have come and gone. Here we are in the year 2018 still
celebrating, commemorating, and depending on the Bible, the Word of
God.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________