Slaughter Praises Reverend Lawrence Hargrave's Distinguished Service

Reverend Leads Opening Prayer on Floor of US House

Washington, DC- Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-Fairport), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, spoke on the House floor today to praise the service and accomplishments of Reverend Lawrence Hargrave of Rochester, New York. 

Reverend Hargrave visited the House of Representatives and, at Rep. Slaughter's request, he agreed to serve as guest chaplain and give the opening prayer on the floor.  He has a highly distinguished career of service, is a graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and is now the Associate Minister at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Rochester.

In her speech, Rep. Slaughter described the Reverend's many accomplishments.  She concluded by thanking him for his prayer, and asked her colleagues to join her "in honoring Reverend Hargrave for his years of faithful service to the people of New York." 

The Reverend's prayer on the House floor follows:

"God, we thank You for this new day before us, the gift of the days past and the grace that has brought us thus far.  We in this place are blessed beyond measure.  We, who have been created in Your image, have the charge to love You and love our neighbors.  You have given us the ability to end hunger, eradicate disease, eliminate poverty and emulate peace.

God, we pray for the will to do so.  Help us to remember the least, the lost and the left out.  Please give us the courage to stand for justice for all.  God, please let our love for one another by our witness to who You are.  God let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an everflowing stream.  You have told us to ‘Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.'  Let us begin again with You today.

Amen."

The text of Rep. Slaughter's speech follows:

M. Speaker.  I request permission to address the House for one minute.  It is my pleasure to recognize and welcome Reverend Lawrence Hargrave, on of my constituents and our guest chaplain in the House of Representatives today.  I am extremely proud of Reverend Hargrave, not only for his heartfelt prayer service this morning, but for his continued commitment to the Rochester community. 

Lawrence Hargrave completed his degree in Sociology from SUNY Buffalo in 1969.  Remarkably, after working for almost 30 years in the private sector, he answered the call for service and completed a Masters of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.  The now Reverend Hargrave is currently the Acting Dean of Black Church Studies at the university, and is the Associate Minister at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Rochester.

As a dedicated community servant, Reverend Hargrave is committed to interfaith discussion and dialogue.  Specifically, he serves on the Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministry Board of Directors and is a member of the Commission on Christian-Muslim and Christian-Jewish Relations.  And for his extensive service to our community, he was awarded the 2003 American Baptist Churches National Luke Mowbray Award for Ecumenical and Interfaith work. 

Reverend, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to thank you for being here with us this morning.  I also ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Reverend Hargrave for his years of faithful service to the people of New York.