[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18907]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  Rabbi Gerald M. Kane, Temple Beth El, Las Cruces, New Mexico, offered 
the following prayer:
  Dear God, Author of life, Creator of all:
  As we gather today in this history-packed, awesome Chamber, we ask 
Your blessing on our esteemed Representatives as they continue to help 
chart a course for our Nation and its citizens.
  Although the times in which we are blessed to live provide them with 
many legislative challenges, may they, guided by Your wisdom, seek the 
very best ways to keep our country free from prejudice, oppression and 
strife.
  In these days of turbulence in our world, keep them steady in their 
deliberations. Inspire them to continue in their quest, not just for 
us, but for all citizens of this planet, to promote the values upon 
which this great Nation was founded: justice, liberty, equality, 
freedom and peace.
  Let Your blessing rest upon them and be near to them. Grant them 
strength of body, of health, of mind.
  Lift up Your countenance upon us all, and grant us Your most precious 
of blessings, the gift of shalom--balance and peace. Amen.

                          ____________________