On October 10, 1942 the Senate elected its 56th chaplain, the Rev. Frederick Brown Harris. He followed in the footsteps of the Rev. Z.T. Phillips who had served since 1927 and passed away in May of 1942. 

Throughout the 19th century, Senate chaplains held office for only a few years. Prominent clergymen who were well connected contended for the appointment to the Senate to enhance their status in the larger cultural context. Typically, as the party controlling the Senate changed, so did the chaplain. Chaplain Phillips survived the change of party control in 1933 and served until his death. 

Chaplain Harris was a prominent religious figure when elected having served at Washington's Foundry Methodist Church. Many thought he might survive the party change as did Harris. Such was not to be. When the Senate majority changed in 1947, and the Republicans gained control, the Rev. Peter Marshall was installed as the new chaplain. A Presbyterian from the South who had made a name serving in New York, Marshall was well regarded and had a national ministry through his non-profit and his writings. Marshall died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 46, just over two years after beginning his service at the Senate. 

Shocked by the sudden death of their Chaplain, Senate leaders reached out to Chaplain Harris and he returned to his former position. Harris continued to serve until his retirement in 1969. During his service, Harris shaped the modern Senate chaplaincy more than any other. He conducted the funerals of Herbert Hoover, Robert Taft, and Douglas MacArthur. And he led the Senate in prayer when they heard the news of President Kennedy's assassination in 1963. 

We sometimes think religion in general, and chaplaincy in particular, has been separated from politics in our grand American experiment. Yet, through our history the two have been intimately intertwined. Chaplain Harris did much to forge a professional chaplaincy which transcended the political divide and provided care for all. As professional chaplains, may we all seek to follow in his footsteps. 

Lyman Smith

 

 

October 10 - WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the establishment of a search commission to help identify candidates for the position of VA Under Secretary for Benefits.  The Under Secretary for Benefits is the senior official within the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) that oversees a variety of benefits and services to Servicemembers, Veterans and their families.

 

Search commission candidates will be selected based on criteria governed by law along with appropriate skills, knowledge and attributes as leaders, managers and educators.  The commission is a prerequisite to the President's appointment of an Under Secretary candidate, subject to Senate confirmation.

 

By law, the appointment is made without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability both in fiscal management and in the administration of programs of VBA or of similar content and scope.

 

VBA includes a network of 56 regional offices and more than 21,800 employees. Nearly four million Veterans currently receive compensation for disabilities incurred in service or pensions for wartime Veterans who become totally disabled in civilian life.  In addition, more than half a million widows, children and parents of deceased Veterans are paid survivor compensation or death pensions.

 

Other programs administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits include: education benefits, vocational rehabilitation and employment for Veterans, and life insurance, as well as VA guaranteed home loans for both active-duty personnel and Veterans.

 

The commission, once named, is expected to complete its work by December 1.  

To apply for this job, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/481447500