The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Shawn Kumm

Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church
Laramie, WY

Sponsor: Rep. Cynthia Lummis, (R-WY)
Date of Prayer: 06/24/2009

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mrs. LUMMIS. I rise in honor of today's guest chaplain, Pastor Shawn Kumm . He is joining us from Laramie, Wyoming, where he has served the congregation at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for 13 years.

Originally from Iowa, Pastor Kumm settled in Wyoming in 1996. He has held two offices in the Wyoming District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, first as secretary to the board of directors, followed by his nomination in 2003 to vice president of the synod, a position which he currently holds.

Pastor Kumm and his wife, Barbie, have two children, his son, Nickoli, and his daughter, Alexandra, who joins him here today.

Pastor Kumm has provided invaluable help to the members of his church and my constituency. I thank him for his positive impact, leadership, and service to the community and wish him the best as his congregation continues to grow with God's blessing.

I also want to acknowledge Representative JEFF FORTENBERRY, who joins me here today, and Pastor Kumm's parents, who reside in Representative Fortenberry's district.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Gracious, Heavenly Father,
who is ever–watchful and attentive to the needs of this country and who has promised to
"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

I implore You to
provide for the people of this land honest and productive industry; preserve us from famine, disasters, pestilence and disease; grant us courage and steadfastness in times of testing; restrain unrest within and without our borders
and keep safe those who watch over and protect us at every level of life; give us compassionate and open hearts in times of want and need;
and finally, for this assembly who is charged with the responsibility of representing the people of this nation, bestow wisdom and courage as laws are crafted and enacted;

To You, O Father, I give thanks and praise, with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory