![the Open Siddur Project [logo]](https://opensiddur.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Open-Siddur-Project-Logo-2016.svg){kind=logo}
Contributor(s):
Shared on:
Categories:
Tags:Sponsor: Rep. Samuel Friedel (D-MD)
Date of Prayer: 26 May 1969
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Speaker, from the very start of the settlements in the New World, as the American continent was then called, the people who came here declared their dependence upon Almighty God. Before this Congress was established by the present Constitution, the American Colonies established the Continental Congress and it is a matter of historical record that the Journal of that Congress, for September 6, 1774, carries an entry that a chaplain was in attendance and opened the session with a prayer. Thus from the earliest times to the present, every session of this great lawmaking body began with an invocation. I am pleased to note that the Rules of the House of Representatives, rule VII, so provide.
In conformity with this necessary requirement, and at my request, the Speaker of the House and the elected Chaplain invited a very brilliant and eloquent clergyman to deliver today’s invocation. He is Rabbi Howard A. Simon of Baltimore, Md., associate rabbi of the Har Sinai Congregation—the oldest continually Reform Jewish Temple in the United States.
We were all inspired by the words of the dynamic young minister who has so eloquently referred to the three intrepid astronauts, who at that time were almost back to earth after having been to within 9 miles of the moon. Such accomplishments make all of us feel exceedingly humble.
Believing that it may be of interest to know something about the inspired religious leader whom we were privileged to hear today, I mention but a few facts. Only 6 years ago, he was called to Baltimore’s Har Sinai Temple, which incidentally is my congregation. During this short time, he has endeared himself, not only to his own congregation, but also to the people of the city of Baltimore and the State of Maryland through his many and varied activities, among which is his chairmanship of the Clergy for Community Understanding of the City of Baltimore which has done so much to create an atmosphere and climate of good will between the various segments of the population of the largest city south of the Mason and Dixon Line.
Because of Rabbi Simon’s comparative youth coupled with wisdom far beyond his years, he has a special rapport with children. He is currently writing a book for teachers that will assist them in the instruction of young people who are enrolled in the religious schools of the country. He also has a deep compassion for the aged and infirm and serves with distinction on a committee of the aged of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
A man of deep religious faith, he works for the interest of Reform Judaism by being the treasurer of the mid-Atlantic council. I am proud to say Rabbi Simon is a patriotic American. He is married to the former Donna L. Nelson and is the father of three lovely children, David, Ilene, and Karen.
I am sure I voice the sentiments of my colleagues when I say it was good to have had Rabbi Simon lead us in prayer this day.
| Contribute a translation | Source (English) |
|---|---|
“And the heaven of heavens shall not contain Thee.” (I Kings 8:27). | |
This is testimony to the Lord’s greatness, and to the potential for excellence He placed within man. Today we stand in admiration of three men who have realized this potential.[1] Honoring the astronauts of the successful Apollo 10 mission (18-26 May 1969): Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan, and John Young. Apollo 10 was the fourth human spaceflight in the United States’ Apollo program and the second to orbit the Moon. They are the voice of America, a land of limitless possibilities. They are inspiration for the source of national development, this very Government. | |
Lead us, O God, to transfer the mastery over things technological to the field of human relations, where we need to create understanding and love. May the labors conducted within these hallowed Halls serve to unite all America in love for one’s neighbor;[2] Cf. Leviticus 19:18 in a trust in tomorrow; in a belief in these United States created as one nation devoted to liberty and justice for all.[3] From the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America (1892) by Francis Bellamy. Amen. |
This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the fifth month of the first session of the 91st US Congress in the House of Representatives, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 115, part 10 (26 May 1969), page 13718.
Source(s)
Congressional Record, vol. 115, part 10 (26 May 1969), p. 13718
Notes
| 1 | Honoring the astronauts of the successful Apollo 10 mission (18-26 May 1969): Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan, and John Young. Apollo 10 was the fourth human spaceflight in the United States’ Apollo program and the second to orbit the Moon. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Cf. Leviticus 19:18 |
| 3 | From the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America (1892) by Francis Bellamy. |
“Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Howard A. Simon on 26 May 1969” is shared through the Open Siddur Project with a Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0 Universal license.
Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)
Howard A. Simon
Comments, Corrections, and Queries