The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Darius Pridgen

True Bethel Baptist Church
Buffalo, NY

Sponsor: Rep. Brian Higgins, (D-NY)
Date of Prayer: 04/09/2014

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to welcome Pastor Darius Pridgen to the House of Representatives today from the True Bethel Baptist Church in western New York.

Pastor Pridgen is well known and well respected in our community for his passionate and inspiring leadership. We could all benefit from adopting his style of cooperation and uniting people of different beliefs and ideologies.

His contributions to our region are many. In addition to being a role model, he works through creative ministry to create jobs, to care for those in need, and to influence good in his church and far beyond.

This is most notable by his expansion of True Bethel's reach from east Buffalo into the city of Niagara Falls. Pastor Pridgen is also a family man and encourages strong families. In addition to his ministry, Pastor Pridgen has served our Nation, as he is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and he currently serves as president of the Buffalo City Council.

Pastor Pridgen is the embodiment of Buffalo's reputation as the City of Good Neighbors, and I am honored to have him here today to represent our community.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

To the grand architect of the universe, who meticulously and purposefully placed each star and planet into a predestined position in the universe, the results of such methodical placement has caused tranquility in the universe in that Mars does not clash with Jupiter, Venus does not war with Saturn, and the Sun does not compete with the Moon.

As You have done in the universe, You have also done in this House of the people. May those whom You have perfectly placed in these hallowed seats remember they, like the perfectly planned universe, have been placed here by You, not to clash, crash, and war, but to work together for the good of their constituents, the country, the world, and, indeed, the universe.

In the name of the God we serve, Amen.

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