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Rep. Swalwell Welcomes Hayward Bishop Jerry Macklin as Guest Chaplain in Congress

September 19, 2013

Today welcomed Bishop Jerry W. Macklin to the U.S. Capitol to serve as guest chaplain and deliver the opening prayer on the House Floor. Bishop Macklin is the leader of Glad Tidings Church in Hayward, California, where he has served as Bishop since 1978. Following the prayer, Rep. Swalwell gave an address on the House Floor recognizing Bishop Macklin and thanking him for his inspirational words.

"It is one of the great privileges of being a Member of Congress to invite a pastoral leader from your community to deliver the opening prayer, and I am honored to welcome Bishop Macklin to the House of Representatives today," said Rep. Swalwell. "Bishop Macklin is a true community leader, and his good work goes well beyond the pulpit. He is a pillar of support to his members and under his leadership the church provides food, affordable housing, health care, and other resources to community members in need."

"Given the overwhelming crises confronting our nation's leaders and our world, there could be no more appropriate time to pray and seek God's sovereign wisdom than now," said Bishop Macklin. "I thank Congressman Swalwell for the opportunity to deliver the opening prayer on the floor of the House of Representatives at this pivotal moment in our country's history."

Members of Congress are able to recommend one Member of the clergy to serve as a guest chaplain each Congress. Glad Tidings Church has over 1,500 members. Bishop Macklin's prayer was televised live on C-SPAN.

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Click here to watch the video of Bishop Macklin's opening prayer

Bishop Macklin one minute

Click here to watch the video of Rep. Swalwell recognizing Bishop Macklin

Below are the remarks as prepared for delivery by Bishop Macklin and Rep. Swalwell on the House Floor:

Bishop Macklin's opening prayer on the floor of the House of Representatives:

"God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,

"Thou who has led us thus far along the way.

"For this land of freedom and the promise of America we are thankful.

"In the face of daunting tasks, monumental and complex challenges, grant this the 113th Congress your sovereign wisdom. Allow this august body, like eagles to soar above partisan disagreements and personal agendas.

"Grant the members of the House of Representatives strength, that they may run for those whose legs are weak, and give them courage that they may walk for those who have become weary through years of injustice. Give them compassion that they may speak for those whose voices have been silenced and grant them vision for those whose dreams are diminished. Empower America with a unity that defies the chaos of the moment.

"Thou Who hast by Thy might led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path we pray.

"In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

Rep. Swalwell's remarks recognizing Bishop Macklin on the floor of the House of Representatives:

"With this House, at this moment, considering such important issues for the American people, there is no better person I know than Bishop Jerry W. Macklin to deliver this afternoon's opening prayer.

"Bishop Macklin's words are inspiring and his call for national unity and wisdom during these trying times is appropriate.

"Bishop Macklin knows a thing or two about trying times. He founded Glad Tidings Church in Hayward in 1978. With a big heart of compassion and a deep devotion to the Lord, Bishop Macklin turned a neighborhood overrun by drugs and crime into a community of faith. Today, Glad Tidings Church has over 1,500 members.

"Under Bishop Macklin's leadership, the Church is not just a place to worship, but a center-point of care for the community, providing food, affordable housing, and health care to the most in need among us.

"Just two weeks ago, Bishop Macklin opened his church's doors to host an Affordable Care Act forum to help educate my constituents. As the regional Health and Human Services Director was explaining to the attendees where they could sign-up, I saw first-hand Bishop Macklin's passion to serve the community. Bishop leaned over to me and said,

"Eric, our church needs to be a place where people can go to sign up. Before the regional director finished, Bishop had already emailed and texted about a dozen people to make sure that happened.

"Thank you Bishop Macklin for asking God to watch over this House and for your work to watch over our community."