The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Chaplain Major General Steven Schaick, USAF

U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon
Arlington, VA

Sponsor: Rep. Doug Collins, (R-GA)
Date of Prayer: 09/18/2019

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, today is a great day. It is
the birthday of the United States Air Force and for those of us who
serve. I rise today to recognize not only that birthday of the Air
Force but to have the great and distinct honor of having Chief of
Chaplains Steve Schaick, as we have just heard, to be here. I have the
privilege of also calling him my boss because I am in the Air Force as well. He is a chaplain, and he is the top of my chain. He is there for a reason. He exemplifies what a chaplain means and how they serve in our Air Force.

Throughout our country's history, men and women have awaited and answered the call of duty, accomplishing each mission with valor.
Today, we acknowledge the men and women who have taken to the skies to defend our country as members of the United States Air Force.

As a chaplain in that United States Air Force Reserves, I have had
the privilege to minister and work with airmen since 2002. Their
courage and integrity both at home and abroad are unmatched, and
Chaplain Steven Schaick is a testament to that courage and integrity.

Chaplain Schaick is a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1976, serving for 4 years as an F–15
integrated avionics component specialist. He is endorsed by the
Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., and was commissioned in the Air Force Reserves as a chaplain candidate in 1985 and into the Active Duty chaplaincy in 1988.

Chaplain Schaick has served three different major commands as a staff chaplain, followed by a special duty assignment to Arlington National Cemetery. He now serves as the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force.

It is my honor to sponsor him to be the guest chaplain of the United States House of Representatives on this, the Air Force's birthday, September 18, 2019. Again, it is my pleasure to have Chaplain Schaick with us today.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Loving God, we ask forgiveness for all the times we forget things that bear remembering. Sometimes we forget that when Sam Johnson's F–4 was shot down and 7 years of torture ensued, he credits prayer, holy scripture, and Your undeniable presence for his survival, release, and his becoming a U.S. Congressman. And sometimes we forget that when Tech Sergeant Bell was raped by a man she once considered a friend, leaving her with hopelessness and thoughts of suicide, You, O Lord, raised her up to become one of our most amazing non–commissioned officers.

Lord, Your fingerprints are seen on every sortie, every mission, and on the precious lives of every airman, past and present. And so today we can say "happy birthday" with humble gratitude.

We pray Your continued blessing on our United States Air Force, which today celebrates its 72nd birthday. We pray also Your blessings upon these Halls of Congress and on our United States of America. Amen.

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