The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Willie T. Lockett

St. Martha Missionary Baptist Church
Oak Hill, FL

Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Dave Weldon, (R-FL)
Date of Prayer: 03/29/2001

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to have one of my constituents, the Reverend Willie Lockett , helping us this morning by offering today's morning prayer.

The Reverend Lockett holds degrees from the University of Illinois, Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center.

In addition to being a learned minister, he is truly a man of all seasons. He has been a teacher, a salesman, a civil servant, and most importantly a pastor.

He is a leader in our community in helping organizations like the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP, the American Heart Association, South Brevard Sharing Center, and South Brevard Habitat for Humanity. He also has a long history of working with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. King from 1955 through 1975.

His ministry over 36 years is a testament to the power of faith and commitment to one's God and community.

I thank the Reverend for his service to us today and for over three decades of service to our community and to our Nation.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Eternal all wise God, Thou who art from everlasting until everlasting. It is again that we come into Thy presence. We come with grateful hearts and we come thanking You first for the privilege of coming to You and You hearing our prayer . We thank You for this day. We thank You for this session and for this place in our Nation's capital where we are assembled.

We thank You for these legislators and pray that You will touch their hearts and minds so that they will be mindful of the needs of our Nation; and that, while You control their thoughts, You will give them the courage that they might play the game of life with boldness, fairness, and integrity.

Help them to stand firmly on their belief if it is within Thy sight and in Thy will. Help them to keep this Nation one that others will continue to look to for guidance and direction. Help them to propose the kind of legislation that will increase the quality of education for our children. Help them to pass the laws that will set a new standard in housing, employment, and health care.

Then, God, teach us to love one another as You have commanded us to do.

This we ask in Your name. Amen.

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