Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – At the invitation of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Rabbi Claudio J. Kogan, Director of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s Institute for Bioethics and Social Justice, today delivered the invocation prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Gonzalez followed the prayer by honoring Rabbi Kogan via remarks on the House Floor.
“The faith of our nation is being tested during these very trying times our country is facing,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “I thank Rabbi Kogan for delivering today’s opening prayer, calling on Congress to promote American values that reestablish peace, hope, and solidarity – strengthening the countries faith in the ability to move forward.”
Please see the full prayer from Rabbi Kogan below:
“God, Source of all living things, we ask your blessings upon these representatives of the people who have devoted their lives to our welfare. Strengthen them with your courage; inspire them as they answer Isaiah’s call to feed the hungry and clothe the naked; to lift up those in this land and in all lands, who cannot stand on their own.
Bless them with the capacity to hear and to listen. May this Body which hosts rigorous and robust debate, embrace diversity without division; unity without uniformity. May this House promote justice, moral clarity, ethical living, righteousness,
As an immigrant who came to this country twenty years ago and became an American just seven years ago, I join this House in a prayer of profound gratitude and deep appreciation for the blessing we, the people of the United States of America, are privileged to enjoy.”
Please see the full remarks from Congressman Gonzalez below:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Rabbi Claudio J. Kogan.
Rabbi Kogan has devoted his life to being a spiritual leader in the Jewish faith and leader in his local community.
Rabbi Kogan is currently the director of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s new Institute for Bioethics and Social Justice.
Since July 2018, Kogan has led the School of Medicine’s efforts on ethical and social issues that affect South Texas and the nation.
Rabbi Kogan is a physician and an ordained rabbi.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires-School of Medicine, and a Masters of Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Rabbi Kogan has also spent time as a member of the Institutional Review Board at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Previously, he served as rabbi at Temple Emanuel in McAllen, Texas, and continues to serve as a chaplain for various law enforcement agencies and hospital systems in the area.
Madam Speaker, it is an honor to have Rabbi Kogan and his family join us here today in the People’s House.”
