Nick Lampson: “it is a real pleasure for me today to welcome Rabbi Jimmy Kessler to Washington and to thank him for his inspirational…”

“it is a real pleasure for me today to welcome Rabbi Jimmy Kessler to Washington and to thank him for his inspirational invocation. Rabbi Kessler, a native Houstonian, is rabbi of Congregation B'nai Israel of Galveston, the oldest Reform congregation in Texas. I am proud that he is a part of my congressional district and proud that he can be here today. Rabbi Kessler is not only a spiritual leader in Galveston County and throughout Texas, but he is a civic leader as well. People of all faiths turn to him for his counsel and his wisdom. He and his wife, Shelley Nussenblatt Kessler, are personal friends of my wife Susan and me. They are people who we count on for guidance and support. Rabbi Kessler is a leader throughout Texas when it comes to speaking out against discrimination and bigotry. He is a shining example of the diversity that makes the 9th Congressional District the beautiful mosaic that it is. Some of my colleagues may not know this, but the word ``rabbi'' in Hebrew means teacher, and that Rabbi Kessler truly is. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, regardless of their faith, to reflect on the words that the rabbi said today when he addressed this body. I think my colleagues will see the wisdom in this teacher's words.”