[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend C.F. McDowell, III, Baptist's Children's Homes of North 
Carolina, Thomasville, North Carolina, offered the following prayer:
  Almighty God, You are worthy of our time and attention as we begin 
this day.
  For each person in this Chamber, may these moments represent a day 
full of the blessings of Your loving presence, amazing grace, guiding 
hand, sustaining strength, and perfect wisdom.
  May each of us as Americans fulfill the hope of the late Dr. Peter 
Marshall in casting off all Pharisaical garments, laying down the 
overcoats of smug complacence, putting aside self-interest and pride, 
and become truly righteous so that America might rise to her God 
appointed destiny of world leadership.
  May Thy will be done in this place today above party and personality 
for the good of every American, peace in the world, and Your glory. 
Amen.

                          ____________________