Reverend Ronald Derrick
American Legion
Rigby, ID
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Simpson, (R-ID)
Date of Prayer: 02/27/2013
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce Chaplain Ronald Derrick for today's invocation.
Chaplain Derrick serves as the national chaplain of the American Legion. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a 40–year member of the American Legion, serving 18 years with Post 95 in Driggs, Idaho, and the subsequent 22 years in Post 20 in his current home of Rigby, Idaho.
Mr. Derrick's Legion duties have included terms as post commander, district commander, and Department of Idaho vice commander. For the past 6 years, he has acted as the Department of Idaho's chaplain.
Mr. Derrick is a retired printer and mail clerk, a former county coroner, Driggs Chamber of Commerce president, and EMT and firefighter. Recognizing this latter service, the American Legion named Mr. Derrick Idaho's Firefighter of the Year in 1987.
Mr. Derrick was ordained into the ministry in 1979 through the Solid Rock Pentecostal Church and continues to serve in various aspects of ministry. Mr. Derrick and his wife of 45 years, Bird, have two sons, a daughter, and nine grandchildren.
I would like to welcome Chaplain Derrick and thank him for his dedication and outstanding service to God and country.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, thank You for this day. Grant us Your presence.
We stand in a room representing power and authority given by Your hand. Keep us mindful that one day we shall stand in a greater room and give an accounting of the decisions made this day.
Therefore, I pray with words that have been spoken down through the ages that You, O Lord, would grant to these leaders of our Nation health, peace, concord, and stability, that they may administer the government without failure.
Direct their counsel according to that which is good and well–pleasing in Your sight; and may it be said of them that they performed the duties of their office faithfully and impartially.
Bless each individual present here today, for by blessing the individual, You have blessed this Nation.
To You be the glory. In Your most holy Name I pray.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory