Chaplain Matthew P. Franke
United States Air Force
AL
Sponsor: Rep. Bob Inglis, (R-SC)
Date of Prayer: 07/10/2008
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Inglis) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize and welcome Major Matthew P. Franke as a chaplain who serves God and country with devotion, dedication, and honor.
Among his stations over his 14–year military career, he provided pastoral ministry and counseling across Iraq and Kuwait to more than 600 members of the Air Force serving with Army and Marine units in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at Balad, Iraq.
He currently works in our office, the Fourth Congressional District of South Carolina, where he serves with distinction as a legislative liaison fellow, and we are privileged to have gotten to know him over the course of this year.
His family continues to live in Wyoming. He and his wife Martha have three sons, Micah, Joshua, and Jacob, and a particularly beautiful daughter, Rachel.
We very much appreciate his service in the Fourth Congressional District of South Carolina.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Lord God,
Your Word reminds each of us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought because,
"We each have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is...service, let him serve; if teaching, let him teach; if encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently...."
Lord, You have graced those who step foot in this chamber today with leadership and the ability to govern. Enable them to "govern diligently."
Help each of us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Instead, grant us the perspective to see our unique talents and abilities as Your unique gifts, given to serve those around us.
Bless our nation and our service this day.
I ask this in the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory