[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 4874-4875]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                COMMEMORATING PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S DEATH

  (Mr. MOOLENAAR asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 150th anniversary of 
the tragic day an assassin's bullet took President Abraham Lincoln's 
life.
  There is no greater challenge than leading a nation through an armed 
conflict against itself, one that divides families and longtime 
friends.

[[Page 4875]]

  When responding to criticism of his efforts to save the Union, 
President Lincoln said, ``If the end brings me out all right, what is 
said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out 
wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.''
  History has vindicated President Lincoln, and now, as War Secretary 
Edwin Stanton said, he ``belongs to the ages.''
  Through solemn, humble, and steadfast leadership, he guided our 
Nation through the crisis--the horrific period of conflict between Fort 
Sumter and Appomattox. Sustained by faith, he stood on principle to 
preserve our country, to correct a nation's moral failing, and to lead 
a government of, by, and for the people ever closer toward a more 
perfect Union.
  President Lincoln gave his life--his last full measure of devotion--
for our country, and he will forever be remembered for his heroic work 
to preserve our United States of America.

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