{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365063", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.23.13", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Faith and Action\nPeople of faith often take bold action.\u00a0 The Christmas season is a time to both notice and highlight the large and small acts of faith that make a difference in this world.\u00a0 I can only note a few, as there are too many such actions to note them all.\nOne of those taking bold action this year is Congressman Frank Wolf (VA-10), who has announced that he will be retiring after having served in the House of Representatives for 17 terms. \u00a0\nFrank has worked hard throughout the years to advance justice, human rights, and religious freedom.\u00a0 He went on a secret mission to Tibet in 1997, traveling not as a Congressman but as a tourist with a home video camera.\u00a0 After returning to the United States, Frank said Tibetans were living \u201c\u2026under unspeakably brutal conditions in the dim shadow of international awareness.\u00a0 I want the world to know what is going on in Tibet.\u201d\u00a0\nHe has continued this work in numerous ways.\u00a0 Frank has traveled throughout Asia and the Middle East advocating for religious minorities such as Coptic Christians, and also has persistently pushed to uncover the truth about the 2012 attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya.\nFrank is a diligent and tireless advocate for those who may otherwise be passed by.\u00a0 I wish the best to Frank as he continues working on the issues important to him and to his family as they begin the next chapter of their lives.\nReverend Ralph Shelba Horton was another man of deep faith, and I was saddened to learn of his December 19 passing.\u00a0 Reverend Horton served the Lord as Senior Pastor of the Richlands Tabernacle since 1971, but he looked for opportunities outside of his own backyard to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 He was a man of God and a friend to many, and his influence went well beyond Tazewell County.\u00a0 To paraphrase a friend of mine, \u201cWho knows how many souls are in heaven because of the work of Reverend Horton.\u201d\u00a0 My thoughts and prayers to Reverend Horton\u2019s loved ones at this time.\nBut not all people of faith have 700,000 constituents or a large congregation with whom to share their message.\u00a0 But this does not mean that their message is any less worthy of attention.\nWillie Nelson\u2019s Christmas song \u201cPretty Paper*\u201d is rather easily adapted to fit one such person - a lady who hangs out every Thursday near the steps leading to the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Crowded street, busy feet hustle by her. \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Busy Congressmen, Christmas is nigh.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There she stands all alone on the sidewalk,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoping that you won't pass her by. \u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Should you stop?\u00a0 Better not.\u00a0 Much too busy. \u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You're in a hurry, how time does fly. \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the distance the ringing of laughter, \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And in the midst of the chatter she tries.\nFor the last three decades or so, Ms. Rita Warren has been a regular fixture on Capitol Hill.\u00a0 Rain or shine, this gentle octogenarian has served as a \u201clobbyist for God,\u201d playing soft music and setting up a life-size statue of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 As we approach the Christmas season, Ms. Warren sets up a lovely nativity scene.\u00a0 Nearby is her menorah.\nIn my experience, she has been relatively unobtrusive.\u00a0 When I see Ms. Warren and hear her music, I feel uplifted and renewed.\u00a0 \u201cJesus is everywhere,\u201d she knowingly tells me and others who choose to stop and speak with her.\u00a0 \u201cMine is a mission of faith.\u201d\nShe gladly speaks with tourists, lawmakers, and congressional staff to share her message about God and his good works to those who will stop to listen. \u00a0\nMs. Warren and her mission of faith inspire and refresh me throughout the year.\u00a0 It\u2019s a constant reminder that, through all the battles and all the rhetoric, no matter how much power we think rests in the capital city of Washington, D.C., the ultimate power belongs to God.\u00a0 During the Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who brought God\u2019s message of forgiveness and grace to mankind.\u00a0 \u201cGod so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).\" Best wishes for a safe and merry Christmas. Please note that, in observance of the Christmas holiday, this column will return on Monday, January 6.\u00a0 As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\n###\n* \u201cPretty Paper\u201d was written by Willie Nelson and originally recorded by Roy Orbison.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365063"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5144532080739737, "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"}