[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4487]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Jim Fisher, Chaplain, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC, 
offered the following prayer:
  ``Oh beautiful for heroes proved, in liberating strife,
  ``Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!
  ``America! America! May God thy gold refine,
  ``Till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine!''
  El-Shaddai, Almighty God of many heroes, present and past,
  The manifestation of human strife may appear today in this sacred 
Hall. Challenges may be offered, retorts may be heard. For petty angers 
and egos, forgive, O Lord.
  Cast upon each member of this noble assembly, each a hero of our 
homeland, the radiant countenance of Your Holy Face. Cause every member 
here to reflect anew upon their deep and abiding love for our Nation, 
and every inhabitant thereof.
  May their unity and commitment become a source of inspiration for 
this divine dream we call America. Amen.

                          ____________________