Rear Adm. Barry Black:now, live senate coverage onov c-span2. the presiding officer: the senate will come to order. the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. eternal god, our

Rear Adm. Barry Black:refuge and hope, thank you for the use our senators today as instruments of your will. commission them to meet the perils and possibilities of our times umablely and courageously -- humbly and courageously.

Rear Adm. Barry Black:lord, deliver them from insulate insulating privilege that obscures humanity's needs as you keep them from pride that scorns to do the servants' tasks. ke them your agents to restore those who are broken

Rear Adm. Barry Black:in body and spirit. empower them to be messengers of hope to those from whom hope is gone. use our lawmakers to bring a new day of justice and peace to our nation and world. we pray in your omnipotent

Rear Adm. Barry Black:name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it

Harry Reid:stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c, may 15, 2008. to the