Recognizing Faith Month
Floor Speech
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Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Miller for organizing this and working with Concerned Women for America to make April Faith Month. It is an honor to be a part of this, to recognize a country where we can recognize our faith.
I know and understand and recognize the distinct opportunity that we have as Americans to worship freely, to come alongside each other with great respect and also to respect various viewpoints. We are blessed to live in a country where we can worship freely. It is a very important part of the fabric of the United States of America.
When I have visitors come to the United States Capitol, I like to take them into the rotunda. In the rotunda, there is a painting called the ``Embarkation of the Pilgrims.'' That painting depicts a pastor as they are getting on board the deck of the Speedwell in 1620, gathered in prayer as they go toward and look for a new nation where they can worship freely, which would ultimately become the United States of America. I like that painting because it reminds us of the freedom that we have here in this country even today.
Tonight, there are about 11 pastors in Nicaragua who don't have that freedom. They are in prison for 12 to 15 years, because of their faith, in the country of Nicaragua.
Here in the United States, we don't have to worry about that. As a young boy back in Alabama who recognized that I needed Christ in my own life and accepted Christ as my Savior, I am reminded that I have that freedom and don't have to worry about going to prison or facing jail time merely because of my faith to follow Christ, which is something I try to do, as you say, Congresswoman, on a day-to-day basis, even though, as you know, we all fall short of that standard.
In closing, I thank my colleague from Illinois for organizing this time, bringing us together, and reminding us that this country was built not on mountains of money and not on great prosperity but on the faith of so many people who came before us wanting to worship freely and to honor our God and maker.
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