Chaplain Michael J. Halyard
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
San Antonio, TX
Sponsor: Rep. John Rutherford, (R-FL)
Date of Prayer: 11/07/2017
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my colleagues
to our guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives, Reverend Captain Michael Halyard of Jacksonville, Florida––previously of
Jacksonville, Florida, I should say. Upon his return from Iraq just
recently, he has been deployed to San Antonio, Texas, and that is a
loss for northeast Florida.
Reverend Halyard is a respected community leader who is devoted to
his community, country, family, and faith. Reverend Halyard serves as a staff chaplain at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, and he served as an assistant pastor at the United Missionary Baptist Church in
Jacksonville. He is also a member of the Florida National Guard, where
he has served as the combat veteran battalion chaplain since 2009.
Reverend Halyard leads his church and his community by serving his
Nation, leading worship services, and by providing support for grieving families.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to welcome Reverend Halyard. May God bless him and our Nation, and especially those who he will be serving in Texas, particularly Sutherland Springs, Texas, today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Merciful and loving God, source of life and constant guide to Your people, we ask Your blessings on our esteemed Representatives as they continue to help govern a course for our Nation and its citizens.
In these days of disrepute and impropriety, keep them steadfast in their deliberations. Inspire them to continue in their journey to promote the values upon which this great Nation was founded: justice, liberty, equality, freedom, and peace.
As Your blessings of goodness transcend into a dynamic of creativity, help us to see signs of hope born of pain as we often find ourselves present in the midst of uncertainty and suffering.
May the vacuous space left by stains of catastrophic occurrences open the minds and hearts of all to deeper compassion and a new level of human understanding.
May all that is done here today be for our American democracy while reflecting Your resplendent honor and glory. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory