Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg
Congregation Beth El
Yardley, PA
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, (R-PA)
Date of Prayer: 11/13/2013
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
–––
The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick ) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Mr. FITZPATRICK . Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and introduce a good friend and community leader in my home district, Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg, and to thank him for offering today's invocation.
Rabbi Gruenberg made the trip here to the Nation's Capital with his wife, Elissa, and his two children, Kayla and Samuel. I am proud and pleased to welcome the rabbi and his family to the House of Representatives.
Rabbi Gruenberg is the chief spiritual leader at Temple Beth El in Yardley, Pennsylvania. Since he joined the temple in 2011, I have gotten to know the rabbi quite well. He has participated in several of my local roundtable discussions on issues, including Israel and the Middle East, and has come down to Washington to visit with me and to offer counsel.
Rabbi Gruenberg is a warm and welcoming Bucks County leader. He has helped build on a strong foundation at Temple Beth El that will last for decades to come.
I am proud of the work he has done in our community and am privileged to call him my friend.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg, Congregation Beth El Yardley, Yardley, Pennsylvania, offered the following prayer :
Our God and God of our ancestors, Everlasting Spirit of the Universe, may it be Your will that the Members of this House faithfully represent all citizens of this great Nation. As they strive to govern this land, guide them, O Lord, with the pillars of humility and respect.
Help them to live up to the legacy of those who have come before and to always honor those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep this Nation strong and free.
Remind all citizens of our great Nation to put people over politics, to elevate democracy over dogma, to value discussion over discord, and to cultivate compromise instead of conviction.
Bless the Members of this hallowed body with the knowledge that what binds us together is stronger than what may pull us apart, that serving You is best accomplished by serving others.
Dear God, please allow Your blessing of health and of peace to envelop our great Nation.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory