[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 72 (Thursday, May 2, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

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                         HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2019

  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, throughout the history of the United 
States, our national leaders have consistently turned to prayer during 
times of struggle, adversity, and crisis. George Washington's prayer in 
Valley Forge was a turning point in our war for independence; Benjamin 
Franklin's call for prayer broke the political gridlock during the 
Constitution Convention; President Franklin Roosevelt took to the 
airwaves, leading the nation in prayer as our troops landed at Normandy 
on D-Day; and George Patton's prayer for a change in weather turned the 
tide during the Battle of the Bulge. More recently, I witnessed 
firsthand the miraculous impact of prayer during the Congressional 
baseball shooting in June, 2017.
   These are only a few of the numerous documented instances where 
Americans have individually and collectively turned to God in prayer, 
and He has consistently answered.
   The National Day of Prayer was established by an Act of Congress, 
and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1952, to recognize 
God's hand of divine providence in the course of our nation. Since 
1988, under the leadership of President Ronald Reagan, the first 
Thursday of May has been set aside as the official day of observance of 
the National Day of Prayer.
   For over two decades, the people of Bartow County, Georgia have 
gathered on the National Day of Prayer at the County Courthouse, to 
continue the heritage of seeking God's Divine guidance.
   Today, May 2, 2019, in observance of the National Day of Prayer, 
community leaders and people from all across the county will once again 
join together in collective prayer for our communities, our state, and 
our nation. I commend the pastors, elected officials, and community 
leaders in Bartow County, Georgia for actively recognizing the impact 
prayer has on our nation.
   Effective and fervent prayers are not only a core aspect of our 
national past, but remain a powerful tool in all aspects of public and 
private matters, and I encourage all people to pray for one another and 
our nation on this National Day of Prayer, and every day.

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