Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Stephen Leon on 22 July 2009
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=27110
open_content_license: Public Domain (17 U.S. Code §105 - Subject matter of copyright: United States Government works) Date: 2019-09-14
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Categories: 🇺🇸 United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies
Tags: 111th Congress, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., El Paso, English vernacular prayer, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, U.S. House of Representatives, תחינות teḥinot
Excerpt: The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. House of Representatives on 22 July 2009. . . .
Content:
Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Stephen Leon, Congregation B’nai Zion, El Paso, TX
Sponsor: Rep. Silvestre Reyes, (D-TX)
Date of Prayer: 07/22/2009
Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, it is a real honor and privilege to have Rabbi Leon here this morning in this great people’s House.
I want to especially welcome not just the rabbi but members of his family that are here. I know that back in my district, back in El Paso, people have gotten up extra early to see the rabbi give our opening prayer.
It’s a real honor and a real privilege and pleasure.
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Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
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O Lord,
“This is the day that God has made,
on it may we rejoice.”
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These words from the Book of Psalms
reflect the thoughts that are in my heart
on this glorious day.
Imagine if every person each day
would arise and thank God
for one more day of life,
for one more precious moment
to make a difference for good in this world.
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How fortunate I feel
to live in this blessed country of America
where a Rabbi from El Paso, Texas
is given the opportunity to offer a prayer
before this historic assembly
which represents the highest ideals of democracy.
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May each of us here realize
what awesome moments God gives us each day
and may we in partnership with the Almighty
help speed that day
when every person in the world
will be privileged
to live in peace and freedom.
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אָמֵן׃
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Amen.
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Source(s)
111th Congress, 1st Session
Issue: Vol. 155, No. 111 — Daily Edition (July 22, 2009)
Link: https://chaplain.house.gov/chaplaincy/display_gc.html?id=1068
Contributor: the Congressional Record of the United States of America
Co-authors:
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Name: the Congressional Record of the United States of America
Bio: The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Printing Office and issued when Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks. At the end of a session of Congress, the daily editions are compiled in bound volumes constituting the permanent edition. Statutory authorization for the Congressional Record is found in Chapter 9 of Title 44 of the United States Code. (wikipedia)
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Record
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/united-states-congressional-record
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Name: Stephen Leon
Bio: Rabbi Stephen A. Leon is rabbi emeritus of Congregation B'nai Zion of El Paso, Texas, having served from 1986 to the present. He was born in Brooklyn, New York abd graduated from Colombia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, receiving his ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion. Rabbi Leon was the dean of the Academy for Jewish Religion from 1974 through 1986. He also was an instructor in Homiletics, Practical Rabbinics, and Cantillations. At the same time, Rabbi Leon served as the rabbi of Elmwood Park Jewish Center in New Jersey from 1971 through 1986. He served on the boards of the bioethics committee of Providence Hospital, El Paso Hospice, the Jewish Federation, and the Holocaust Museum. Rabbi Leon wrote numerous articles published in the Paterson News, El Paso Times, and The Jewish Voice of El Paso. He taught in the Religious Studies department of the University of Texas at El Paso. He has appeared on National Public Radio and has made numerous appearances on local television programs. Rabbi Leon has received awards from Israel Bonds, the Israel government Tourist Office, Hadassah, the Bergen County Board of Rabbis, United Synagogue Youth, and others. In 1999, Rabbi Leon received a grant from the El Paso Community Foundation and visited many places in Europe where Crypto-Jews have lived, including Belmont, Portugal where 300 Crypto-Jews formally returned to Judaism. Rabbi Leon is a trusted friend and teacher for the Anusim and has helped many individuals and families make their return to Judaism.
Website: https://www.congregationbnaizion.org/professional-staff
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/stephen-leon
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