[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Lord God, Creator of the Universe and redeemer of all in the human 
family, this strong and determined Nation stands before You today with 
heavy hearts and heads bowed in prayer.
  The break-up of the Space Shuttle Columbia brings all of us to the 
edge of life as we know it, feeling a common vulnerability. We commend 
to You the two women and five men who achieved their dream in becoming 
astronauts. Their heroic stories will continue to inspire the young, 
encourage scientists and those who serve their country.
  Engaged by the wonder of Your creation, they reached beyond human 
limitation to explore the secrets of the Universe. Now, drawn beyond 
space and time, they enter the silent mystery known to You alone.
  O Lord, console their families and friends of NASA with loving 
compassion and peace. As we scan the landscape of this disaster, help 
Your people to solve the riddle of human life, to heal the fractures of 
an international space program, and to piece together the fragments of 
world relationships on this blue planet, swirling through space, called 
Earth.
  For You are Lord of the heavens and of us now and forever. Amen.

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