The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Jerry Sullivan

St. Mary of the Lake Church
Hamburg, NY

Sponsor: Rep. Mr. Jack Quinn, (R-NY)
Date of Prayer: 02/08/2001

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor for me to welcome Father Monsignor Jerome Sullivan , as the Speaker pointed out, but back home in Wanakah, Clover Bank, and Hamburg, New York, he prefers to be referred to as Father Jerry .

We are honored to have Father Jerry with us this morning to offer these opening remarks. I know that, as a parishioner of his now for over 20 years, when he suggests to the Members, when he suggests to the audience, and then to the country this morning, that we listen to each other and that we show respect for each other, it is the same exact thing that he suggests of his parishioners back at St. Mary of the Lake.

I know all of us who work here in Washington, D.C., on both sides of the aisle, in both Chambers, know that we should do a little bit more listening, and we should make certain that we respect each other.

Father Jerry , we appreciate your remarks this morning. We could use you here in Washington, D.C.; but we sure are glad you are at St. Mary of the Lake.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Bless the Representatives of this Nation as they meet in session. May Your Will be the guiding force for their intentions, words, and actions. Forgive them the times when convenience and self–interest have substituted for courage, kindness, and justice. Grant them the grace to listen to one another with open minds and hearts. May the clarity and charity of their words reflect respect for their colleagues.

Give them an understanding of the needs of our sisters and brothers in this country who are often ignored, whose voices cry out to be heard. As You have blessed this land with abundance, help the Members of this House, and all of us who are citizens, to be generous to the neediest of persons beyond our borders, with a generosity that only You can make possible.

We ask this in Your holy Name. Amen.

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