Chaplain Blan Maurice Stout, Jr.
Office of the Army Chief of Chaplains
Arlington, VA
Sponsor: Rep. Hon. Jim Ryun, (R-KS)
Date of Prayer: 05/18/2006
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Chaplain Maury Stout to the House floor. Chaplain Stout is presently an action officer at the Army Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon. Prior to that he served as the brigade chaplain for the First Brigade, First Infantry Division at Fort Riley in my district.
Prior to coming to Fort Riley, Chaplain Stout served as the Task Force Chaplain at Camp Kabal, Kuwait. He has also served at many other posts and was awarded the FORSCOM Excellence in Ministry Award while serving as the Squadron Chaplain at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Chaplain Stout is impressively educated, holding degrees from Central Bible College, Harvard University, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and Georgetown University.
He has been honored with numerous awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, to name just a few.
But I am sure he will tell you that his highest honor is with his family, who is up here seated in the gallery today, his wife, Jeressa, and they have four children.
Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to welcome Chaplain Stout to the House Chamber. I commend him for his outstanding service, and express my appreciation to him for opening our session today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, You dwell in lofty places, yet You also live in the hearts of the lowly in spirit. The greatness of Your person inspires our heart to worship, while the goodness of Your concern shapes our character to wholeness.
As we align ourselves with Your nature, fling open the shuttered windows of our souls that we may see beyond the walls of individual perspective and view this world, at least in part, as You do.
As we remember our military, wipe the tears from the faces of broken–hearted warriors who have lost beloved comrades. For the families of fallen heroes, be a "father to the orphan and husband to the widow." Encourage all who support them in this Congress and we ask Your blessing on the military chaplaincy, whose courageous spirit and compassionate service provide for the free exercise of religion.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory