[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21779]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Lord, Your Divine Providence has inspired people to seek elected 
office and serve the public. Still others come as volunteers or become 
staffers who find work in government. Most come because they wish to 
make a difference. The desire You place in their hearts moves them 
beyond self to help shape a better America and recreate the face of the 
Earth along the ideals and hopes of Your kingdom.
  Not content to simply ``go through the motions'' or ``settle for the 
status quo,'' they are restless to seek for something better, something 
greater for the American people as a whole.
  Such patriots make themselves greater by pursuing something greater 
than self, by listening to others. They step into the forces of 
contradictory causes, try to reconcile differences, find the common 
ground, and make unity amidst diversity a living reality day by day.
  We praise You, Lord, for those who offer their minds and their 
hearts, as well as the work of their hands, to make government of the 
people work for the people. Their dedication and efforts move us as 
Americans to bless and thank You, now and forever.
  Amen.

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