PenceBlog: How the People's House became a house of prayer - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana

We gathered in the chamber of the House of Representatives around 6 p.m. Members were in the usual mood: informal, joking and talking politics. When the doors of the House opened and our group spilled into the hallway headed to the Rotunda, a hush fell over the otherwise chatty crowd. The Rotunda looked the same but there was a different spirit about the place. Tonight, as it had been on many occasions in the history of our nation, the People's House became a house of prayer.

As I made my way toward the chamber, I had little hope of even much of a view of the proceedings, but I was honored beyond words to be there. As I entered the chamber, I followed my friend the Majority Leader and I found myself at the front of the crowd, two yards from where the body of President Reagan would be laid. Throughout the service I thought again and again of Ronald Reagan the Midwestern boy instead of the western President.

The emotion broke through with the singing of America the Beautiful and, of course, when Mrs. Reagan gently touched the casket and whispered reflexive words of comfort and love to her dear Ronnie...

I always thought this job was a privilege, but being able to represent the good people of eastern Indiana at the funeral of my hero was a debt I can never repay. Thank you Indiana. -Mike Pence

posted by Pence Press Office # 7:00 PM