[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12089]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Lord God of history, our celebration of Independence Day this year 
took on new meaning. Marked by the wounds this Nation suffered as a 
result of terrorism on September 11, this Nation is stronger in its 
resolve to seek, protect, and assure the free exercise of independent 
government set up by the people for the people governed.
  The memory of that tragic day has made our enjoyment of freedom in 
this Nation an even greater treasure which must now be preserved on the 
face of the Earth for generations to come.
  Grasped by the spirit expressed by the original signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, may the Members of the 107th Congress and 
the citizens of this Nation again appeal to You as the supreme judge of 
the world for the rectitude of all our intentions.
  With firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, may we 
mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred 
honor to foster and defend equal justice and the freedom of all now and 
forever. Amen.

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