(Washington, DC)—This morning, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II hosted the 55th Annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. Guests included President Bush and the First Lady, members of the President’s Cabinet, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Justices of the Supreme Court, and Members of Congress.

Cleaver has served as the Co-Chair of the House of Representatives’ weekly prayer meetings and was nominated last year to host today’s National Breakfast.

The breakfast drew 3,400 guests from around the world, and it is privately funded every year by the Fellowship Foundation. Over 160 nations were represented at the breakfast. Despite being a Christian-sponsored event, representatives from the world’s great religions also were on hand.

Remarks from Congressman Cleaver, as delivered, before introducing the President of the United States:

“I would like to share something with you that I read the other day, by William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.  He said this:

‘I know of no religion that destroys courtesy, civility or kindness.’

In this room today, we are people of over 160 nations and many religious traditions, but a common teaching of all faiths and philosophies is this important word “civility.”

I came to Washington and the Congress with this desire in my heart:  to do what I could to make this a more civil place.  In the intensity and tension of this place, it’s really hard for me and all of us to follow the Biblical teachings to count others as more important than ourselves, and as far as it depends on us to live at peace with all. 

I have opinions that are as strong as anyone.  My challenge is to state them in a tone that raises the level of the conversation, and honors those who disagree with me.

When you look at the roots of the word civility, to be civil is to be a citizen, a respected part of the community.  So to be uncivil is to fracture the community – locally, nationally or internationally – and that’s something none of us can afford to do. 

With the passing of President Ford recently, I was reminded of a story of his days in the House.  He held regular debates here in Washington with his Democratic counterpart, Congressman Thomas Hale Boggs at the National Press Club. At Ford’s suggestion, they would share a cab downtown and pick their topic on the way.  Afterwards, they’d often go out to eat together.   

Mr. President, I am happy you are joining us for our House Democratic retreat later today.  It will be good for us and good for the country to break bread together.

We reap what we sow.  I think God is pleased when we, as citizens of the world and people of faith, sow courtesy, civility and kindness with each other and raise up a harvest of grace and peace.”

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.