[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26809]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Stuart York, Rosemead Christian Church, West Covina, 
California, offered the following prayer:
  Father, we praise and thank You for Your patience, grace and mercy 
that allow us one more day to serve You and the Nation.
  Today we celebrate the life of John Chafee. May Your divine comfort 
and the legacy of the man as a husband, father, grandfather and 
statesman give strength and solace to Virginia and to the family.
  Please bless and protect President Clinton, his family, Cabinet, 
staff and our Armed Forces serving around the world.
  Today we feel heavy burdens. Earthquakes, hurricanes and floods have 
brought death and devastation to thousands at home and abroad. The 
innocent victims of violence, crime, injustice, hate and prejudice cry 
out for help.
  But this we know, the faintest cry from the loneliest heart in the 
remotest part of the planet will not go unheard. Even now You are 
marshaling the forces of nations and peoples to rescue the perishing 
and care for the dying.
  You brought every Member of this House here for a time such as this, 
435 good, dedicated, caring people who really want to make the right 
decisions for the people who sent them here. However, tremendous 
pressures are bombarding them. Some pressures are of the purest 
motives. Others are of greed, selfishness and partisanship. Give each 
Member the wisdom to know what is right, the strength to do what is 
right and the courage to reject those who would compromise the 
integrity of this high office. Remind us that it is not always easy to 
do the right thing but it is always the right thing to do.
  And, Father, let the family members and loved ones, especially Mrs. 
Chafee today, know that they too are true American heroes. They pay a 
high price keeping the home fires burning while giving strength and 
support for these representatives to carry on the responsibility of 
government.
  God, use us to bless America. To You be honor and glory in all 
things. In Christ's name, Amen.

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