Congressman Mike Michaud has welcomed Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Kate Braestrup, chaplain of the Maine Warden Service, to the U.S. House of Representatives as guest chaplain. Michaud invited Braestrup to provide the opening prayer in the House.

Braestrup's prayer and Michaud's floor speech can be found below.

L-R: Rep Mike Michaud, Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Kate Braestrup, Maine Warden Service Col. Joel Wilkinson, and U.S. Marshal Noel March.

Rev. Braestrup's opening prayer:

St. Francis of Assisi advises us to pray constantly. If necessary, he says, use words.

God, our prayer today arises from a house of words from a nation rooted in words.

We do not derive our identity as Americans from our color or our creed, from our wealth or power, nor even from the land itself (though we do love the land); rather, by your grace, America is America through its words:

That all men are created equal

That all are endowed with inalienable rights

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

These beautiful necessary words, God, may every word spoken and written from this chamber contain an echo of those words.

May our words, too, be necessary and true. May our words remember and inspire the brave, compassionate action that is and always has been America's finest prayer.

Amen.

Rep. Michaud's floor speech:

Mister Speaker, it's my honor today to welcome Reverend Kate Braestrup to the House of Representatives.

In 1996, Reverend Braestrup's husband, Maine State Police Trooper James "Drew" Griffith, was tragically killed in a car accident while on duty. At the time of his death, Drew was beginning to prepare to become a Universalist Unitarian Minister.

Kate decided to pursue Drew's dream and began attending the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1997. She was ordained in 2004.

Since 2001, Reverend Braestrup has served as the Chaplain for the Maine Warden Service, providing counsel for the families of loved ones lost in the Maine wilderness. An accomplished writer and minister, Reverend Braestrup has authored several books including the national bestseller Here If You Need Me.

Reverend Braestrup is a true asset to our state. Her remarkable devotion to helping others has made her an invaluable public servant and a beloved member of the community.

It is my honor to welcome Reverend Braestrup to the House.

I yield back.