Mark Hatfield: “a year ago today, my good friend, Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie joined the Senate family by becoming the 61st Senate Chaplain. I was…”

“a year ago today, my good friend, Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie joined the Senate family by becoming the 61st Senate Chaplain. I was fortunate to have known him before he became the Chaplain and now 99 other Senators have had the opportunity to be enriched by his friendship. But it is not just Senators who have been fortunate to experience the ministry of Chaplain Ogilvie. Following the example of his predecessor, Richard Halverson, Dr. Ogilvie has ministered to everyone he encounters. I cannot speak for all of my colleagues, but I have thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Ogilvie's morning invocations. It is one of the highlights of my day. Each prayer is a poetic weaving of theological wisdom and spiritual encouragement. When I hear the Chaplain's resonant voice, I feel as if the Heavenly Father himself has entered our midst and is speaking to us here on the Senate floor. The Chaplain has the voice of God, but he is also a man after God's own heart. He has said that he sees himself as an intercessor for the Senators, and I know that he is faithful in his prayers for this body and its Members. I have appreciated Dr. Ogilvie's careful efforts to keep the chaplaincy nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and nonsectarian. His concern is genuine and he ministers indiscriminately to all who need encouragement. He is keenly aware of the spiritual needs of this body, and he makes himself readily available to address those needs. We are fortunate to have Dr. Ogilvie among us.”