The most beautiful prayer

Not all prayers are designed for a higher power. Some are meant for men to hear. This was read on the House of Representatives floor by Patrick Salaz, a fellow intern. If I could have whooped and hollered in celebration, I would have:

I believe in Justice. We flourish in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, and mistakes are tolerated.

I believe in Service. Our public servants don’t get paid because they’re worthless; they don’t get paid because they’re priceless.

I believe in Hope. It’s our ability to work for something just because it’s good.

I believe in Leadership. Tell us and we’ll listen; show us and we’ll remember; involve us and we’ll understand.

I believe in America. We aren’t American because of our race, color, or religion. We aren’t America because of the place we were born or the COINCIDENCE OF OUR CITIZENSHIP. An American is one who believes.

We believe in the dignity of all. We believe that all are created equal - that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Now, let us believe in ourselves – that we may have the courage to turn to our neighbor and say:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
Your wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.

May we, together, lift our lamp beside the golden door.

~Patrick Salaz