The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Eung Yul David Ryoo

Korean Central Presbyterian Church
Centreville, VA

Sponsor: Rep. Gerry Connolly, (D-VA)
Date of Prayer: 12/03/2014

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join you in welcoming our pastor, Pastor Ryoo , from the Korean Central Presbyterian Church, located in Centreville, Virginia, and the 11th Congressional District, for today's invocation.

This church has been active in our community since it was founded 41 years ago in Vienna. Prior to my election to Congress, I served as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with the congregation on the construction of its new sanctuary and on many of its activities throughout our community.

Within its many outreach ministries, the church founded a senior center 20 years ago, offering meals, recreation, skills training, and computerization for our senior population.

Under the direction of Heisung Lee, the center is now independently run and has been recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Republic of Korea as an outstanding volunteer organization.

This and the many other activities of the congregation exemplify the tremendous contributions the Korean American community are making throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent one of the most vibrant Korean American communities in the United States and to continue our partnership here in Congress as cochair of the Korea Caucus.

I thank you, again, for joining us in welcoming Pastor Ryoo who, I think, really is emblematic of the success of the immigrant population in the United States. He represents our future.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Merciful God, we give our thanksgiving and praise to You, the triune God and the Creator of the universe, for offering salvation through Jesus Christ and guidance through the Holy Spirit.

We pray that humankind would be united in mutual brotherhood under Your love. We pray for Your blessing upon the United States of America, so that it would live according to Your Word as one Nation under God.

Bless the Members of the House of Representatives who have gathered here today. Etch within their hearts a fierce calling towards their motherland, within their heads the wisdom to complete their tasks with integrity, and within their lives the courage to sacrifice for the people of our country.

We pray that all here would experience the glorious joy of serving this country and its people with all that You have bestowed upon them.

We pray in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

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