The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Rabbi Lance Sussman

Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY

Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, (D-NY)
Date of Prayer: 03/01/2001

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pleasure and privilege that I welcome here my constituent, Rabbi Lance Sussman, of Binghamton, New York, as the guest chaplain. We are honored to have Rabbi Sussman with us this morning to offer the opening prayer for today's session. Rabbi Sussman is a native of Baltimore, where he graduated from Franklin and Marshall College. He was ordained at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion, where he earned a Ph.D. in American Jewish history.

In 1986, Rabbi Sussman was appointed to the faculty of Binghamton University, where he continues to teach Jewish history. He founded his own small press, called Kesher Press, and has published several notable works that document Jewish history in America and, specifically, in upstate New York.

In 1990, the rabbi was called to lead the Temple Concord in Binghamton and for 11 years has served his congregation and his community with great distinction. He established a food pantry and a seasonal museum called Hanukkah House, which now attracts thousands of school children of all faiths from across our region of New York. Working with Elderhostel, the rabbi has also worked to make Temple Concord a leading center for adult Jewish education.

Rabbi Sussman has been called to a new position as senior rabbi at the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, where he will begin serving in July. He will be greatly missed by his congregation and the countless other residents of the Binghamton area whose lives he has touched.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud that this Chamber has honored Rabbi Sussman with the opportunity to offer today's opening prayer. It is a wonderful send–off for a fine man and spiritual leader. I hope that you will join me in welcoming Rabbi Sussman , his wife Liz, their children, family members and congregants.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Lord Our God, God of all people, Eternal Spirit of the Universe,

We ask for blessings on this House
and the United States of America.
Keep us strong as a nation.
Sustain in us a deep sense of justice.
Incline our hearts to work for the betterment of all
and peace for the human family.
Keep alive in us the memory of all those
who made ultimate sacrifices for our benefit as a nation.

Bless this land with prosperity.
Teach us to celebrate our differences
and to unite around our common values.
Be present with us in our homes,
our places of work and on the way.

We thank you, Lord, for this day
and the opportunity to serve You
by serving others.

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