The great Maya Angelou died peacefully this morning. She was a national treasurer for our country and an inspiration to us all. She was a poet, an author, and a civil rights activist. She once wrote:
"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
My dear senators, in your deliberations today, may you do so in the spirit of Maya Angelou by jumping hurdles, leaping fences and penetrating walls to bring hope to us all so that those who feel like they are the least, the last, the lost and the left out have a vision for a bright tomorrow.
Let us pray:
Eternal God, we pray for our Senators today and for their deliberations. May their work in these chambers help all Californians find a renewed hope for tomorrow. This prayer we pray.--Amen.