The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend George E. Battle, Jr.

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Charlotte, NC

Sponsor: Rep. G.K. Butterfield, (D-NC)
Date of Prayer: 03/18/2009

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. WATT. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged today to welcome and say words of welcome on behalf of the House to the wonderful bishop and minister who delivered our prayer for us this morning, whom I am privileged to have as a constituent in my congressional district.

He is not only a leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church but has been a leader in our community of Charlotte, North Carolina, and in our State for a number of years. He has served on our school board, he has been a corporate leader serving on boards of distinction, and he is an outstanding family man as well as, of course, a religious leader of our community.

We are delighted to welcome Bishop Battle today, and wish him well. His wife is just recovering from surgery, and we wish her well also on behalf of the House.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

God, we thank you for this wonderful day and this historic occasion. Thank you for our wonderful nation and all those who represent us in the Congress of the United States of America.

You continually give us the opportunity to start anew so we celebrate this magnificent collection of leaders who will help pilot this nation. Please give our congress the wisdom to do what is right and not be driven by what is expedient. Give them the discretion to not be threatened by wise counsel or constructive criticism.

In the face of this magnificent occasion, God, continue to not only endow and bolster our Representatives, but give us, the understanding to know that we play a crucial part in whether or not our leadership will be successful.

Bless the brave men and women of our armed services and their families. God bless America, her leaders and her people. Amen.

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