Rep. Paul Broun. You might be wondering why there are so many animals in the background of this picture. Well, Rep. Broun is an avid hunter. Included in his Capitol Hill office collection is an Alaskan Bear and an African Lion! 
Rep. Heath Shuler
Rep. Jim JordanThroughout the year, Faith and Action, along with the National Clergy Council, presents an award called “The Ten Commandments Leadership Award” to various elected and appointed officials. An official is eligible if they show significant leadership in the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage, or the public acknowledgment of God. On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, we gave these awards to Representatives Paul Broun (R-GA), Heath Shuler (D-NC), and Jim Jordan (R-OH). Each of these Representatives are co-sponsors of Resolution 284, “The National Year of the Bible.” Below is a copy of the letter we sent to each Representative:
Dear Representative,
The National Clergy Council and its lay affiliate, Faith and Action, would like to commend you for your ardent support of traditional moral values. We are so very grateful for your persistent defense of traditional marriage, the right to life, and the public acknowledgement of God. Specifically, we honor your co-sponsorship with H. CON. RES. 284 “encouraging the president to proclaim 2008 as ‘The National Year of the Bible.’” We especially applaud your concurrence with these words: “The Bible, used as a moral guide, has inspired compassion, love for our neighbor, and the preciousness of life and marriage…”
In light of this, the National Clergy Council would like to present you with an award commending your work. I am respectfully requesting to make this presentation on Tuesday, July 29, at 10:00 AM. Our Chief of Staff, Peggy Birchfield, is prepared to assist you and your staff in making all the necessary arrangements.
Please know that we are grateful to God and to you for your faithful service in congress and to the United States.
Your fellow servant,
Rev. Rob Schenck, D.D.
Paul Broun
Rep. Broun is a former medical doctor. Because of his background in the medical field, he has a unique perspective on abortion. Each new congress he plans to submit a pro-life bill that would scientifically describe human life as beginning at conception. His bill would give all the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to that tiny human life!
Normally, Faith and Action plans the “Ten Commandments Leadership Award” presentation to be completed within ten minutes. However, Broun made conversation with us for at least 30 minutes after the presentation. During the conversation we all learned the heart of Paul Broun! His faith drives him – he believes that cultural reform will only begin in the pulpits of churches around America.
He specifically mentioned his role in the work of the kingdom of God. He believes that Government has been forced into certain tasks because the Church has refused to accomplish its God given responsibilities. For example, he said, the reason we have welfare is because the church refuses to take care of the poor (James 1:27; 2:15-17). The government will never be persuaded to disband welfare until the church shows itself responsible. Therefore, his job will never be fully accomplished, that is, to limit government, until the church steps up in obedience to God!
Just a little side note: I did not ask him about this topic! He just began to speak about it. Isn’t it amazing how God works? This issue (Government vs. Church) is exactly what I have been struggling with. God gave me the chance to learn at the feet of a Christian US Representative!
Heath Schuler
I really admire Representative Schuler. He was the nicest, southern gentlemen. He sauntered into his office, where his bible lays on his desk, and greeted us warmly with his noticeable southern accent. As you may know, Rep. Shuler played NFL football. He played for the Washington Redskins and the New Orleans Saints. [1]Later, in the Oakland Raiders training camp, he was injured and forced to retire.
Generally, when we give an official the “Ten commandments Leadership Award,” we read the following as a part of the presentation:
The Ten Commandments, delivered to us by Moses, are the basis for justice and all righteous law. Their timeless principles form the core and foundation of civilized culture, and are therefore indispensable to our democratic republic.
If we are to solve the manifold social problems in America, we must look to the strongest internal governors to control external behavior.
Representative, on behalf of the 5,000 Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, and Protestant church leaders of the National Clergy Council, and the tens of thousands of supporters of the Ten Commandments Project, as well as those present who have made this ceremony possible, it gives me great pleasure to recognize you for the incomparable role that you play in shaping our American way of life through your office and example.
Representative, these principles, when espoused by our nation’s leaders and advanced by public policy and legislation, will slow and even reverse the cultural turpitude that so often vexes our people.
We urge you to always and boldly proclaim and demonstrate these Ten Commandments as you discharge your important duties.
God bless you in your service to Him and to your country.
After Rev. Schenck read this and made a few comments, Rep. Shuler began to recount to us his recent meeting with Billy Graham. He said it was one of the most spiritually exhilarating experiences in his life! Rev. Graham, Shuler recounted, was the most humble of men. Every time Shuler tried to ask Graham a question about himself, Graham would turn the conversation right back to Shuler. Shuler said he was expecting to spend just 15 minutes with the reverend, but to his surprise, Graham told him to sit down when he stood up to leave after 10 or 12 minutes had passed! By the end of their conversation, Graham had spent an hour and fifteen minutes talking with Shuler! Stunned by Graham’s hospitality, Shuler thought it couldn’t get any better. But Graham astonished him by asking him to pray to close their time together. Shuler said that he felt like Vince Lombardi had just asked him to call the play on fourth down in the fourth quarter!
Before Rev. Schenck and the staff of Faith and Action departed, we held hands with Rep. Shuler and prayed for him. Rev. Schenck had the honor to ask God’s blessing and protection over Shuler’s family and office. He prayed that God would give him wisdom and leadership as he served his state and his country!
Jim Jordan
Our presentation to Rep. Jordan was the quickest of the three. On Wednesday, July 30, he was rushing back and forth from committee meetings. He actually removed himself from a meeting in the Judiciary Committee to receive our award. We presented the award to him in the hall way, right outside the Judiciary Committee room!
Rep. Jordan was so delighted to receive our award. Recently he was involved in an effort to protect the public display of the Ten Commandments! Below is the press release:
[2]Jordan Announces Online Petition DriveSupporting Judge DeWeese Against ACLU
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) offered his strong public support for an Ohio judge’s display that has drawn fire from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Last week, the ACLU filed a district court motion against Richland County Common Pleas Judge James DeWeese for posting a document that details the importance of the Ten Commandments to our nation’s legal system.
“The Ten Commandments, a cornerstone of Western law, are appropriate for a judge to display in his courtroom, where he is expected to enforce the law, promote equal justice under the law, and educate citizens about the rule of law,” Jordan said.
Earlier today, Jordan launched an online petition effort so that the community could demonstrate its support of DeWeese’s courtroom display. Jordan was the first to sign the petition, which is available at www.petitiononline.com/deweese/petition.html.
The petition reads:
We, the undersigned, support the right of Judge James DeWeese to display language found in the Ten Commandments. Ideas have consequences, and we understand that this display contrasts unchanging moral absolutes like the Ten Commandments with moral relativist precepts that allow individuals or societies to continually redefine for themselves right and wrong.
America’s founders understood the deep significance of the Ten Commandments to our legal system and the fixed duties it imposes. Throughout our history, representations of the Ten Commandments have consequently been placed in legislative chambers and courtrooms, including that of the U.S. Supreme Court.
We reject the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) chosen role as censor and thought police seeking to silence the moral absolute side of this debate with which it disagrees. We believe the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects all Americans’ freedom to express their opinions.
We call on the court to rebuff the ACLU’s censorship efforts and to protect freedom of expression.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Shuler
[2] http://jordan.house.gov/list/press/oh04_jordan/3JUNE08DEWEESE.shtml
Dear Representative,
The National Clergy Council and its lay affiliate, Faith and Action, would like to commend you for your ardent support of traditional moral values. We are so very grateful for your persistent defense of traditional marriage, the right to life, and the public acknowledgement of God. Specifically, we honor your co-sponsorship with H. CON. RES. 284 “encouraging the president to proclaim 2008 as ‘The National Year of the Bible.’” We especially applaud your concurrence with these words: “The Bible, used as a moral guide, has inspired compassion, love for our neighbor, and the preciousness of life and marriage…”
In light of this, the National Clergy Council would like to present you with an award commending your work. I am respectfully requesting to make this presentation on Tuesday, July 29, at 10:00 AM. Our Chief of Staff, Peggy Birchfield, is prepared to assist you and your staff in making all the necessary arrangements.
Please know that we are grateful to God and to you for your faithful service in congress and to the United States.
Your fellow servant,
Rev. Rob Schenck, D.D.
Paul Broun
Rep. Broun is a former medical doctor. Because of his background in the medical field, he has a unique perspective on abortion. Each new congress he plans to submit a pro-life bill that would scientifically describe human life as beginning at conception. His bill would give all the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to that tiny human life!
Normally, Faith and Action plans the “Ten Commandments Leadership Award” presentation to be completed within ten minutes. However, Broun made conversation with us for at least 30 minutes after the presentation. During the conversation we all learned the heart of Paul Broun! His faith drives him – he believes that cultural reform will only begin in the pulpits of churches around America.
He specifically mentioned his role in the work of the kingdom of God. He believes that Government has been forced into certain tasks because the Church has refused to accomplish its God given responsibilities. For example, he said, the reason we have welfare is because the church refuses to take care of the poor (James 1:27; 2:15-17). The government will never be persuaded to disband welfare until the church shows itself responsible. Therefore, his job will never be fully accomplished, that is, to limit government, until the church steps up in obedience to God!
Just a little side note: I did not ask him about this topic! He just began to speak about it. Isn’t it amazing how God works? This issue (Government vs. Church) is exactly what I have been struggling with. God gave me the chance to learn at the feet of a Christian US Representative!
Heath Schuler
I really admire Representative Schuler. He was the nicest, southern gentlemen. He sauntered into his office, where his bible lays on his desk, and greeted us warmly with his noticeable southern accent. As you may know, Rep. Shuler played NFL football. He played for the Washington Redskins and the New Orleans Saints. [1]Later, in the Oakland Raiders training camp, he was injured and forced to retire.
Generally, when we give an official the “Ten commandments Leadership Award,” we read the following as a part of the presentation:
The Ten Commandments, delivered to us by Moses, are the basis for justice and all righteous law. Their timeless principles form the core and foundation of civilized culture, and are therefore indispensable to our democratic republic.
If we are to solve the manifold social problems in America, we must look to the strongest internal governors to control external behavior.
Representative, on behalf of the 5,000 Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, and Protestant church leaders of the National Clergy Council, and the tens of thousands of supporters of the Ten Commandments Project, as well as those present who have made this ceremony possible, it gives me great pleasure to recognize you for the incomparable role that you play in shaping our American way of life through your office and example.
Representative, these principles, when espoused by our nation’s leaders and advanced by public policy and legislation, will slow and even reverse the cultural turpitude that so often vexes our people.
We urge you to always and boldly proclaim and demonstrate these Ten Commandments as you discharge your important duties.
God bless you in your service to Him and to your country.
After Rev. Schenck read this and made a few comments, Rep. Shuler began to recount to us his recent meeting with Billy Graham. He said it was one of the most spiritually exhilarating experiences in his life! Rev. Graham, Shuler recounted, was the most humble of men. Every time Shuler tried to ask Graham a question about himself, Graham would turn the conversation right back to Shuler. Shuler said he was expecting to spend just 15 minutes with the reverend, but to his surprise, Graham told him to sit down when he stood up to leave after 10 or 12 minutes had passed! By the end of their conversation, Graham had spent an hour and fifteen minutes talking with Shuler! Stunned by Graham’s hospitality, Shuler thought it couldn’t get any better. But Graham astonished him by asking him to pray to close their time together. Shuler said that he felt like Vince Lombardi had just asked him to call the play on fourth down in the fourth quarter!
Before Rev. Schenck and the staff of Faith and Action departed, we held hands with Rep. Shuler and prayed for him. Rev. Schenck had the honor to ask God’s blessing and protection over Shuler’s family and office. He prayed that God would give him wisdom and leadership as he served his state and his country!
Jim Jordan
Our presentation to Rep. Jordan was the quickest of the three. On Wednesday, July 30, he was rushing back and forth from committee meetings. He actually removed himself from a meeting in the Judiciary Committee to receive our award. We presented the award to him in the hall way, right outside the Judiciary Committee room!
Rep. Jordan was so delighted to receive our award. Recently he was involved in an effort to protect the public display of the Ten Commandments! Below is the press release:
[2]Jordan Announces Online Petition DriveSupporting Judge DeWeese Against ACLU
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) offered his strong public support for an Ohio judge’s display that has drawn fire from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Last week, the ACLU filed a district court motion against Richland County Common Pleas Judge James DeWeese for posting a document that details the importance of the Ten Commandments to our nation’s legal system.
“The Ten Commandments, a cornerstone of Western law, are appropriate for a judge to display in his courtroom, where he is expected to enforce the law, promote equal justice under the law, and educate citizens about the rule of law,” Jordan said.
Earlier today, Jordan launched an online petition effort so that the community could demonstrate its support of DeWeese’s courtroom display. Jordan was the first to sign the petition, which is available at www.petitiononline.com/deweese/petition.html.
The petition reads:
We, the undersigned, support the right of Judge James DeWeese to display language found in the Ten Commandments. Ideas have consequences, and we understand that this display contrasts unchanging moral absolutes like the Ten Commandments with moral relativist precepts that allow individuals or societies to continually redefine for themselves right and wrong.
America’s founders understood the deep significance of the Ten Commandments to our legal system and the fixed duties it imposes. Throughout our history, representations of the Ten Commandments have consequently been placed in legislative chambers and courtrooms, including that of the U.S. Supreme Court.
We reject the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) chosen role as censor and thought police seeking to silence the moral absolute side of this debate with which it disagrees. We believe the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects all Americans’ freedom to express their opinions.
We call on the court to rebuff the ACLU’s censorship efforts and to protect freedom of expression.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Shuler
[2] http://jordan.house.gov/list/press/oh04_jordan/3JUNE08DEWEESE.shtml
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