{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-floods-christmas-statement-1", "Congressman Flood\u2019s Christmas Statement", "2024-12-24", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Mike Flood", "F000474", "flood.house.gov", "flood", "https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LINCOLN, NEBRASKA \u2013 U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a recorded statement ahead of Christmas, which is observed December 25, 2024.\n\nVideo of the remarks can be found by clicking here. News outlets are welcome to use the footage for their reporting purposes. The full text of the speech is below.\n\nFriends and Fellow Nebraskans,\n\nAs we enter the Christmas season, it\u2019s time to reflect on the profound significance of this holiday: The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.\n\nThis annual celebration of Jesus\u2019s birth in a manger, heralded to shepherds by angels, is more than a historical event\u2014it is a reminder of God\u2019s love for humanity. In sending His Son, God gave us the ultimate gift: Hope, redemption, and the promise of salvation for all who come to Him.\n\nTwo thousand years later, the message of Christmas continues to call each of us to live lives rooted in faith, hope, and love.\n\nChristmas is also a time for us to reflect on and express gratitude for the sacrifices of the men and women serving our country; their commitment today is rooted in generations of tradition.\n\nMany of us recall learning in school about General George Washington and the Continental Army camped at Valley Forge during one of the bleakest moments of the Revolutionary War. In the bitter cold of December, facing starvation and disease, General Washington turned to prayer, seeking the Lord\u2019s guidance to carry his soldiers through their trials. The image of Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge is forever etched in the tapestry of our nation's history, reminding us of how our country\u2019s strength is rooted in faith.\n\nAs we close out a year marked by historic events and challenges, let\u2019s take a moment to honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, who guard our freedoms even now. Their selfless service allows us to celebrate this season in peace and joy with our loved ones.\n\nMay this Christmas bring new cherished memories, reminding us of what truly matters: Our families, our communities, and our faith. From Mandi, the boys, and me, we want to wish your family safe travels, warmth, and a very Merry Christmas!", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-floods-christmas-statement-1"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8037120569497347, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}