[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5056]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Norris A. Keirn, National Chaplain, the American Legion, 
offered the following prayer:
  Eternal Father, You have been our shield and strength from the birth 
of our Nation to this present day. Our homeland has been preserved in 
the palm of Your hand. By inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, we have 
continuously moved to develop a more perfect union that would mirror 
Your divine purpose.
  Through Your guidance these representatives have been raised to make 
laws and direct efforts for the enduring betterment of the peoples of 
this Nation and world. Grant great wisdom so that Your righteous 
purposes would be fulfilled. Afford each one the strength of will to be 
diligent dispensers of truth and justice. Bless them with solidarity 
that transcends personal views and political affiliations. Grant a 
bipartisan unity that would bring You glory.
  Bless also those who defend this democracy and place themselves in 
harm's way. Dispatch Your angels to protect and to bring them home with 
victory over the evil forces that would attempt to destroy freedom. 
Enable them to break the bondages of oppression as You have so 
graciously granted in the past.
  In the name of the Lord we pray. Amen.

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