[Page H8548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  Rabbi Evan Hoffman, Congregation Anshe Sholom, New Rochelle, New 
York, offered the following prayer:
  Almighty God, bless the work of the United States House of 
Representatives. Fortify our legislators' constitutional commitments 
and grant them the wisdom to draft laws that best serve the interests 
of the American people. O Lord, in a time of polarization and rancorous 
dispute, we beseech Thee to help our elected officials maintain 
decorum, civility, commonality of purpose, and a sense of shared 
American destiny.
  Heavenly Father, guide our Representatives so that they might serve, 
in the eyes of the citizenry, as role models of reconciliation and 
cooperation. We pray that in a future time the prophet's words might be 
said in reference to this Congress: ``Restore your judges as in days of 
old, your counselors as at the beginning.''
  Bless our Nation with peace and prosperity, our citizens with health 
and happiness, and our national institutions with strength and 
stability. May this be Your will, and let us say: amen.

                          ____________________