Rabbi Jimmy Kessler
Temple B'nai Isreal
Galveston, TX
Sponsor: Rep. Congressman Nick Lampson, (D-TX)
Date of Prayer: 04/04/2001
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, it is a real pleasure for me today to welcome Rabbi Jimmy Kessler to Washington and to thank him for his inspirational invocation. Rabbi Kessler , a native Houstonian, is rabbi of Congregation B'nai Israel of Galveston, the oldest Reform congregation in Texas. I am proud that he is a part of my congressional district and proud that he can be here today.
Rabbi Kessler is not only a spiritual leader in Galveston County and throughout Texas, but he is a civic leader as well. People of all faiths turn to him for his counsel and his wisdom. He and his wife, Shelley Nussenblatt Kessler , are personal friends of my wife Susan and me. They are people who we count on for guidance and support.
Rabbi Kessler is a leader throughout Texas when it comes to speaking out against discrimination and bigotry. He is a shining example of the diversity that makes the 9th Congressional District the beautiful mosaic that it is. Some of my colleagues may not know this, but the word ‘‘rabbi'' in Hebrew means teacher, and that Rabbi Kessler truly is.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, regardless of their faith, to reflect on the words that the rabbi said today when he addressed this body. I think my colleagues will see the wisdom in this teacher's words.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Our God and God of our ancestors:
Watch over these who stand in this House. Keep them ever mindful of our expectations and the trust we place in them. Give them wisdom for their actions, and grant to each of them, when they leave this chamber daily, the joy of being able to say that the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts are acceptable in your sight and thereby truly know that they are a blessing to those of us for whom they stand here. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory