[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18787]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   WELCOME TO PASTOR RICHARD ELLIOTT

  (Mr. TOOMEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our guest 
pastor, the Reverend Richard Elliott of New Hanover Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania. The House is 
privileged to have Pastor Elliott deliver such an inspirational opening 
prayer for us today, Thursday, September 21, 2000.
  His message to ``strive for justice and strength in order to pursue 
peace'' is reflected in the long history of his congregation and its 
wisdom to lead by example. Founded in 1700, the congregation is 
currently celebrating the church's 300th anniversary. It is the oldest 
German Lutheran congregation in the United States.
  New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church has nurtured a nation with 
its creative and energetic congregation, with character, with humility, 
with kindness and compassion. During the War for American Independence, 
the church served as a temporary hospital for General George 
Washington's troops after the Battles of Brandywine and Paoli.
  Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives is indeed privileged to 
have Pastor Richard Elliott of new Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church 
deliver the opening prayer today. Pastor Elliott and his congregation 
are a true reflection of what our Founding Fathers envisioned when they 
fought for the birth of our Nation.

                          ____________________