The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Opening Prayer

04/30/2003
Rabbi Manny Behar

Today people around the world remember the martyrdom of 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. We also remember the leadership shown in this very Chamber, and the courage of our Armed Forces who brought an end to the Holocaust by defeating the Nazi regime.

Today, as always, we as a Nation stand for freedom and opportunity for ourselves and for all people. Once again, the men and women of this great body are called upon to make decisions that will impact on the future of individuals, of nations, of all humankind. Certainly such an awesome responsibility demands that we turn to God in prayer.

May God on this day and every day grant all the Members of the House of Representatives the wisdom to make the decisions that will make a nation and a world where all may enjoy peace, freedom, and opportunity. May you go from strength to strength in the service of God's children.

May God continue to grant success to our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. May they speedily achieve their mission and return home to the embrace of their families, and may God always bestow his blessings on the United States of America.