[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31290]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           CHRISTMAS STORIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, soon, the presidential staff will be 
busy readying the White House for Christmas. The annual lighting of the 
national Christmas tree is an event punctuated in Washington, DC by the 
official White House Christmas party.
  My wife Maureen and I decided to attend last year and find out for 
ourselves what it's like at the executive residence. The splendor of 
the White House, decked with adornments of the season, seemed to dwarf 
the partisan divisions of politics and reminded guests of the 
historical significance of Christmas in America.
  One of the most compelling American Christmastide stories took place 
during the Revolutionary War in 1777. One week before Christmas, 
General George Washington organized his Continental Army at Valley 
Forge.
  Everything important to maintaining the Army was lacking--ammunition, 
clothing, shelter, blankets, footgear, and food. Washington was unsure 
whether they would freeze before starving.
  When called to answer a small British column conducting foraging 
raids at nearby Derby, the General urgently dispatched Congress; ``. . 
. unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place . . . this 
Army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these things. 
Starve, dissolve or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the 
best manner they can . . .''
  The half-naked troops endured famine relieved only by sporadic supply 
deliveries. Washington fully expected mass desertion or open mutiny, 
yet the soldiers remained, resolved by their confidence in Washington 
himself. Washington's personal strength came from God.
  A famous account of a Quaker named Isaac Potts emphasized 
Washington's reliance on prayer at Valley Forge. While passing through 
the woods near camp headquarters, Potts heard the Commander-in-Chief's 
voice in the forest.
  Potts observed Washington on his knees in the act of devotion and 
interceding for the well-being of his troops and beloved country. Potts 
wrote, ``. . . he adored that exuberant goodness which, from the depth 
of obscurity, had exalted him to the head of a great nation, and that 
nation fighting at fearful odds for all the world holds dear.''
  In orders later issued at Valley Forge, Washington told troops, ``To 
the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory 
to laud the more distinguished character of Christian.''
  Col. John Laurens, the General's aide, wrote of ``those dear, ragged 
Continentals whose patience will be the admiration of future ages.'' 
Indeed, to this day, Americans take great inspiration from Valley 
Forge. The Providential source of the troops' valor is a timeless 
lesson in faith providing further support for the message of Christmas.
  First designated a national holiday in religious terms in 1789, 
presidential orders and Congressional proclamations have firmly 
restated the importance of Christmas ever since. Our nation's greatest 
leaders have always found inspiration in the hope of the Christ Child 
and the grace of God.
  Thomas Jefferson chose among the works of Isaac Watts to be taught, 
in the District of Columbia schools, the Christmas carol, ``Joy to the 
world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her king.''
  Benjamin Franklin wrote, ``Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit 
allure thee, no ambition corrupt thee, no example sway thee, no 
persuasion move thee to do anything which thou knowest to be evil. So 
shalt thou live jollily, for a good conscience is a continual 
Christmas.''
  This year, as Americans revel in the joyous wonder of Christ's birth, 
we all do well to recall the many examples of God's presence among us 
and His unmistakable answers to our prayers for liberty. May God 
continue to bestow His choicest blessings upon the United States of 
America, this Christmas and always.

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