Proceedings in the House

The House met at 12 o'clock noon.

TUESDAY, October 17, 1972.

The Chaplain, Rev. Edward G. Latch, D.D., offered the following prayer:

The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.-Genesis 31: 49.

Eternal God and Father of us all, in the closing days of the 92d Congress we pause again in Thy presence to acknowledge our dependence upon Thee and to offer Thee the devotion of our hearts. Through the year Thou hast been our refuge and strength, our present help in time of trouble.

We thank Thee for the opportunities which have been ours working together under the dome of this Capitol of our national life. Here we have endeavored to serve Thee, our Nation and our world. For our labors may we hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servants."

Bless the Members of this body, some of whom will return and some of whom will not return. May the benediction of Thy spirit rest upon them that coming or going Thy peace may abide in all their hearts. And grant safe return of our majority leader and our colleague. May the Lord bless us and keep us always and in all ways. Amen.

Mr. O'NEILL. Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the circumstances in which our majority leader, Mr. Boggs, and Congressman BEGICH, are missing in a plane.

The White House has been constantly in touch with the Speaker since yesterday when they first learned that Mr. Boggs and Mr.

BEGICH were missing. Also, the congressional offices are getting a report of any developments every 30 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, apparently the weather is quite bad up there. The search pattern is from Anchorage to Juneau, down the normal air route, and 50 to 75 miles on each side of the air route. Thirty-five aircraft will be lifting off at 0700, local Alaska time, which is 12 o'clock noon our time. The aircraft were unable to take off prior to 7 a.m. Alaska time because of a tremendous fog, I understand. These search planes should be taking off just about this time, now.

Mr. Speaker, these search teams will cover the area from Anchorage to Prince William Sound. As far as the location is concerned, they will have good ceiling at 4,000 feet. Along the coast to Juneau, they expect fog which hopefully will lift about noon, Alaskan time.

Mr. Speaker, the search will be first over water, and when the fog lifts, it will then continue over land.

Of the 35 aircraft in use, four are Army, 11 are Air Force, four are Coast Guard, 15 are Civil Air Patrol, and one FAA.

We have been informed that the pilot who was commanding the two-motor Cessna is one of the great bush pilots of the area. And so, while we pray at this time, we do have hope and we do have confidence that this pilot has been able to find one of the areas where he has landed probably many times through the years. It is our hope and prayer, of course, that the men will be found safe.

Mr. Speaker, I have known Mr. Boggs since I came to Congress 20 years ago. These past 2 years, I have had the distinct pleasure and honor to work closely with him as his assistant, the majority whip, Hale and I have become good personal friends, as well as close professional colleagues. I know no man who has fulfilled his responsibilities as majority leader with more competence, diligence, and resourcefulness.

Throughout this year he has campaigned all over the country almost weekly for Democratic Members or candidates whenever he was asked. His trip to Alaska on behalf of a Democratic Member and close personal friend, after an exhausting postmidnight session, exemplifies the kind of dedication and responsibility that Hale Boggs brought to his job as leader of his party.

I have known and worked with NICK BEGICH for 2 years since he became a Member of the 92d Congress. He is a very affable and

likable Member, and we are all aware of his tireless efforts on behalf of his constituents in Alaska.

Now is the time for us to say a silent prayer that Mr. Boggs and Mr. BEGICH will be found unharmed and returned safely to their homes and families.

Mr. Speaker, we will continue with the normal business today until we have word from Alaska.

Mr. GERALD R. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I am sure the heart of every Member of this body is heavy today as we ponder the possible fate of our well-liked and beloved colleague, the majority leader, Hale Boggs, as well as the fate of our friend and colleague, the gentleman from Alaska, NICK BEGICH.

When I heard the news of their disappearance last night I was immediately filled with great apprehension and deep foreboding. Although we often fought verbally on the floor of the House, Hale and I are very, very close personal friends.

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to their wives and families during this period of uncertainty. We can only pray that no news is good news and that with the morning light which is returning to the vast area over which their flight was planned they will be found alive along with the pilot and NICK's district assistant, Russ Brown.

As many of you know, I came to know Hale extremely well during the trip we made together in late June and early July to the People's Republic of China. My wife, Betty, and I have had no more congenial and pleasant and constructive traveling companions than Hale and his lovely wife Lindy.

Let us say a prayer, Mr. Speaker; let us all pray that Hale Boggs and NICK BEGICH and his assistant as well as the pilot will all be found safe and well. I humbly pray You, God, that this may be so.

Mr. O'NEILL. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GERALD R. FORD. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. O'NEILL. I would like to add, also, that both the Speaker and I have been in touch with Mrs. Boggs. Mrs. Boggs and Mrs. Begich have spoken on the phone to each other since this event occurred. Mrs. Begich made reference to the fact that once before her

husband had been found safely after he had been lost in Alaska for 9 hours. All of our prayers go to Mrs. Boggs and Mrs. Begich, with the hope that our dear colleagues will be found alive and well.

WEDNESDAY, October 18, 1972.

The House met at 12 o'clock noon.

The Chaplain, Rev. Edward G. Latch, D.D., offered the following prayer:

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.-1 Thessalonians 5:21.

O Thou holy and merciful God, who seeks us when we go astray and who redeems us warmly when we return with the coming of a new day we would quietly lift our hearts unto Thee in prayer. For this day of Thy grace grant unto us courage, faith, and good will that in meeting the needs of our Nation we may not fail man nor Thee. Deliver us from bigotry and bitterness, from pettiness and prejudice. Keep us devoted to the higher values and greater virtues which give to life meaning and purpose and which hold us steadfast in the struggle for freedom, justice, and peace in our world.

"God of justice, save our people

From the clash of race and creed.
From the strife of class and faction
Make our Nation free indeed.

Keep her faith in simple goodness,
Strong as when her life began;
Till it finds its full fruition

In the brotherhood of man."

Again we pray for the safe return of our majority leader and our colleague.

May Thy peace and Thy comfort abide in all our hearts, Amen.

WEDNESDAY, January 3, 1973.

This being the day fixed by the 20th amendment of the Constitution for the annual meeting of the Congress of the United States, the Members-elect of the House of Representatives of the 93d Congress met in their Hall, and at 12 o'clock noon were called to order by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Hon. W. Pat Jennings. The Chaplain, Rev. Edward G. Latch, D.D., prefaced his prayer with these words of Scripture:

Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.-Joshua 1: 9.

Eternal God and Father of us all, make us aware of Thy presence as we prepare ourselves for a new year together in the service of our beloved country. Bless these Representatives of our people with Thy most gracious favor and so move within their hearts that they may look to Thee for guidance and from Thee receive wisdom to walk in Thy ways, strength to stand steadfastly for the common good, and confidence to labor courageously for peace, justice, and freedom in our world. Support them all the day long as they face the responsibilities entrusted to them.

Before Thee we remember with affection and with sorrow Hale Boggs, Frank Bow, NICK BEGICH, George Collins, and Harry S Truman. May these beloved colleagues and our former President find favor in Thy sight and receive the reward of work well done for our Republic. Comfort their families with the strength of Thy spirit.

Now let us unite in praying together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The CLERK. On December 20, 1972, the Speaker directed a letter to the Clerk of the House which the Clerk will read.