[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13343]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RELIGIOUS FREEDOM--CONGRESSIONAL PRAYER CAUCUS

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                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2013

  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about one of our Nation's 
most coveted rights. The freedom of religion granted to all Americans 
by the First Amendment. Our Founders knew this was one of the freedoms 
worth fighting for.
   In 1775 the Continental Congress under the advisement of General 
Washington created the chaplaincy. They knew the war ahead would not 
only try every Soldier physically, but also spiritually. They knew 
these Soldiers would need guidance, sound advice, and a helping hand to 
discharge their duties.
   Many times throughout the early beginnings of this nation the 
Congress has come together to reaffirm the importance of the 
Chaplaincy. In 1791 the Congress empowered the President to employ a 
chaplain. Since then the chaplaincy has been an intricate part of our 
Nation's service men and women. The task of these chaplains has long 
been to facilitate the religious and spiritual needs of the Armed 
Services.
   Recently members of the House of Representatives repelled an attack 
on the Chaplain Corps, led by senior leaders in the Pentagon. Leaders 
in the Pentagon attempted to circumvent current DoD regulations by 
allowing Atheist Chaplains to serve in the military. Such a policy 
destroys the historical intent of the Corps, and its current ability to 
address service member's spiritual needs. Pentagon leadership has no 
right to bypass DoD regulations as it deems fit.
   This episode brings to mind a quote I heard from an Army Soldier, 
``A Service member's faith is not a weapon but a shield.'' It is no 
secret that many people going to war encounter some type of religious 
conversion. Those already observing a religion attribute their 
successful return from combat to their deity. Why put someone's 
religious guidance in the hands of a counselor with indifferent feeling 
towards a belief system.
   A chaplain's duty puts him in the foxhole, the cockpit, or at sea. I 
listen to a service member's deepest fears and often present when they 
celebrate their highest moments. In both, their handling of the 
situation is dictated by faith. Congress needs to adhere to a new 
battle cry; faith under fire is faith worth fighting for.
   I stand today with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to remind Congress of the free exercise clause in the constitution that 
``Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion 
prohibiting the exercise thereof.''

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