The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Wallace Shepherd

Second Baptist Church
Santa Barbara, CA

Sponsor: Rep. Lois Capps, (D-CA)
Date of Prayer: 05/11/2011

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a valued constituent and a good friend, Dr. Wallace Shepherd .

Dr. Shepherd came to the Second Baptist Church of Santa Barbara as pastor in 2006. Since then, Pastor Shepherd has reestablished Santa Barbara's Martin Luther King Day event as a capstone celebration on the central coast of California.

He is an active board member of the Endowment for Youth program, which supports the education of underprivileged children through tutoring and scholarships. Dr. Shepherd also helped to found Eco Faith, a nonprofit organization that promotes conservation of energy in churches and houses of worship.

He has been appointed evangelism director of the Central District of California, and also the vice president of the Third Sunday Fellowship for Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. But as our House has just witnessed, he is at the core a powerful presence and a humble servant in the name of his faith.

I am honored to welcome him here to Congress, and thank him for his invaluable service to our community and to our country.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Our Father in Heaven, we bless you Lord in this season, while our homeland faces difficult decisions and conflict across many nations.

We bow before you this day, requesting your mercy and your grace. Grant this Congress your guidance as they work collectively as one.

We pray Dear Lord, as resolutions are prepared, that there will be a united commitment to the development of comprehensive laws.

Lead this Congress and Nation in the direction of tranquility that reflects the intent of our forefathers. Endow us as a nation to be humble, as we transcend the norm, without forgetting those that are in need.

Anchor our hearts with prudence, as we consider the development of our youth.

Protect our troops, as they fight for democracy and freedom throughout the world.

Steer us on the path of righteousness, with temperance, bless our Government and bless this Nation.

In Jesus Christ�s name, we pray. Amen.

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