[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5412]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, Congregation B'nai Israel, Galveston, Texas, 
offered the following prayer:
  When my grandparents Sol Aron, Pincus Kessler, Fred Nussenblatt, and 
Ralph Hoffman fled inhuman treatment in Europe, I wonder what their 
prayers would be this day. Surely, standing in this hallowed place 
inspires my deepest gratitude for their courage and faith and for the 
freedom and strength of our great Nation. Moreover, though it may be 
routine for some of you in this room today, it is truly an awesome 
moment for me to realize those who have stood here before me and to be 
privileged to occupy that same space.
  Cognizant of this precious moment, I have chosen words that I believe 
echo feelings shared by many of my fellow citizens that in this Chamber 
are 435 of the choicest blessings our country possesses. In each of you 
are our dearest wishes, our choicest hopes, and our sincerest 
aspirations for today and all the tomorrows. Please know that you carry 
in your words and in your hands our special trust, and by your actions 
and words you bless us.
  Our God and God of our Ancestors:
  Watch over those who stand in this House. Keep them ever mindful of 
our expectations and the trust we place in them. Give them wisdom for 
their actions and grant to each of them when they leave this Chamber 
daily the joy of being able to say that the words of their mouths and 
the meditations of their hearts are acceptable in Your sight, and, 
therefore, truly know that they are a blessing to those of us for whom 
they stand here. Amen.

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