The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Rabbi Shea Hecht

Hadar Hatorah Yeshiva
Brooklyn, NY

Sponsor: Rep. Chris Gibson, (R-NY)
Date of Prayer: 11/30/2016

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Rabbi Shea Hecht for his opening prayer. Rabbi Hecht, a Chabad Rabbi, is the chairman of the board of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education.

Rabbi Hecht has brought together people of different faiths, races, and backgrounds in New York to promote peace through understanding.
These principles hold true in New York, as they do throughout the
country and right here in this body.

One thing that my time in Congress has reinforced in me is that prayer matters. The daily opening prayers here in the Chamber set the tone for my day and often help me reflect on how to be a better husband, father, and Congressman.

I join Rabbi Hecht in his pursuit for peace at home and abroad and
thank him for his meaningful prayer. I certainly thank his family as well, including Rabbis Hanoch and Yitzchok, rabbis in the Hudson Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Heavenly Father, help us be honest enough to admit our shortcomings, brilliant enough to accept flattery without arrogance, tall enough to
tower above deceit, strong enough to treasure love, brave enough to welcome criticism, compassionate enough to understand human frailties, wise enough to recognize our mistakes, humble enough to appreciate greatness, and righteous enough to be devoted to the love of God.

Almighty God, inspire the leaders in Congress to inspire all the people. Bestow Your infinite blessings upon all the citizens of this great country.

We pray for the safety of our Armed Forces and that every soldier return home safely after fulfilling Your mission.

We pray that the world be a better place for all mankind; that we rid ourselves of prejudice and hatred, poverty and addiction, greed, jealousy, and selfishness, and that all these ills are replaced with love and harmony, peace and tranquility, respect and dignity, sanctity of marriage, family and community.

May this country, the greatest country of the world, go from strength to strength. Amen.

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