Dr. W.L. Birch of Florence, SC Delivers Opening Prayer in U.S. House of Representatives
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
 Printable Format
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip and Congressman from South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, James E. Clyburn today hosted Dr. William Lloyd Birch of Florence, SC, who delivered the opening prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives. Attending the speech was Dr. Birch’s wife, Jean Birch, his daughter Lindy Birch, and the Kelly family from Clevedon, New Zealand.
Following is Dr. Birch’s prayer:
Dear Father, we are so grateful for the blessings you have given to us. But the blessings of the past will not suffice for the needs of today. We know that if we commit ourselves to you, you will help us focus on the needs of our nation. We confess that so often we fall short of the expectations you have for us. We are tempted and so often we succumb to these temptations--we put ourselves before others--we fail to show our Brothers and Sisters the love you want us to demonstrate by the quality of our lives. As we face this day, help us to be honest, unselfish, compassionate people. What have we gained if we obtain success in the eyes of the world and yet lose the sense of your presence, your Will among us? May your Kingdom come. May your Will be done. We pray in the name of the Lord of our nation. Amen.
Following is the speech Clyburn delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives after Dr. Birch’s prayer:
Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure for me to welcome and thank the gentleman and scholar who provided us with today's invocation. Dr. William Lloyd Birch hails from my Congressional District. He is an ordained minister in Florence, South Carolina.
Over his illustrious ministerial career, Dr. Birch has served as interim pastor in more than 42 churches. Dr. Birch is the founder of the Sociology Department at Francis Marion University and chaired it for over 30 years. Prior to his retirement, Dr. Birch was a family therapist and chaired the South Carolina Board of Licensing.
Dr. Birch is known by many in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina as their professor, as the minister who baptized their children or performed their son’s or daughter’s wedding, as the interim pastor at their church, or as the counselor who guided them through a family crisis.
Many have also seen him riding his horses, foxhunting or playing the bluegrass music he loves. Many of us are thankful for his work throughout the Pee Dee communities in South Carolina. He is joined here today by his wife of 57 years, Jean, and I thank both of them for their daughter, Lindy’s work in my office on behalf of the people of South Carolina and the nation.
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