Foundation Day 2015 Blessing Ceremony: Congratulations to the Newly Blessed Couples

Mr. Burton is a retired member of the United States Congress, who represented the State of Indiana for fifteen terms.

What a beautiful ceremony!

Dr. Hak Ja Han, distinguished leaders and guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am very happy to join you here in the Republic of Korea, one of America’s greatest allies and friends, on the occasion of this Foundation Day.

I first wish to sincerely thank you, Dr. Moon for your successful leadership in bringing peaceful cooperation among faiths and nations to achieve peace. Your efforts have brought great honor to the life

and work of your husband, the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon. Under your leadership, this pivotal work is rapidly expanding. We are grateful to you and your family for your leadership.

I want to offer sincere congratulations to all the couples who participated here in this interfaith blessing of marriage ceremony in Korea and throughout the world via satellite, pledging their marriages to God and for the sake of peace for all mankind.

My wife Samia and I are proud to say that as devout Christians we are honored to join with you today in renewing our vows under God’s blessing led by True Parents. As Jesus taught in Matthew 19:6 … “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” We pray that all of your families will be blessed with great prosperity and happiness.

I recall, when Mother Moon was hosted by Senator Orrin Hatch in Washington to speak at the U.S. Congress in 1993, how she inspired many leaders to take action to protect marriage and the family. In 1994, I was honored to carry on this vision by introducing legislation calling for a “National Parents Day.” House Joint Resolution 398, which was cosponsored by 223 members of Congress. It was overwhelmingly passed and in 1994 it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Now in America, the fourth Sunday in July is a national holiday of “Parent’s Day.” This holiday honors the God-given admonition that men and women must stand as good parents in raising their children.

Now this vision of Parents Day has expanded to every continent in the world.

Mother Moon, as a co-founder of the Washington Times and the Segye Times, I want you to know that your leadership and vision is greatly appreciated by all God-fearing people. The reporting and commentary of the Washington Times in America’s capitol city has been a most powerful influence on America’s leadership and the world in support of faithful marriage, religious freedom, respect for all races, and finally rejection of socialism and atheism. The Washington Times also strengthens the God- affirming democratic free world to stand firm against terrorism and tyranny. As a thirty-year veteran of Congress and a Foreign Affairs Committee member in Congress, I want to state that the media entities you have founded and organizations like the Universal Peace Federation are most effective and are leading the way toward peace.

Currently we are attending a global media conference inspired by this vision and sponsored by the Washington Times and the Segye Times to examine “The Prospects for Peace in Northeast Asia.” This conference has brought together top journalists from major global media organizations as well as policy leaders to shine a light on Northeast Asia and to explore the possibilities that are needed to foster cooperation among these nations to achieve peace, freedom and economic prosperity.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is important to know that these great accomplishments came with a great price.

Reverend Moon’s life was by no means an easy one. He spent two years and eight months in a communist prison camp in North Korea and was liberated by the UN/ US forces under General Macarthur. He escaped with a determination to end the scourge of communism. When he founded his church and it spread worldwide, he encountered opposition and persecution just as it has come to all historical religious leaders throughout the ages.

Dr. Moon, I want you to know that because of the persecution you and your husband endured, your movement became stronger and more effective. Through the Washington Times and you and your husband’s countless efforts combined with those of America and freedom-loving people of the world, the cold war was ended and the Berlin Wall came down.

Today we face many new challenges around the globe. Problems involving China, Korea, Japan, Russia the United States and other countries. If we continue to work together I’m hopeful that we can find a peaceful end to the division between Northland South Korea. When that happens a new era of freedom, peace and prosperity can be achieved in Northeast Asia. In addition, challenges from radical quasi- religious states such as ISIL, can be defeated. This must be done not only militantly, but with other things such as truth and determination.

The Washington Times and other media must bring out the truth and support the faith leaders, and global leaders of conscience that you have inspired to rise up and overcome evil with good. With faith in God, we are not afraid and we shall be victorious. Evil is not strong when it is confronted by Good and good will prevail. We will stand with you in faith against tyranny and terrorism, and we will fight for religious freedom on every continent.

Ladies and gentleman, I pray that the legacy of peace that Reverend Moon and Mrs. Moon upheld throughout their lives will grow ever deeper and stronger roots here in Korea, Northeast Asia and throughout the world.

God bless you and your families, and may God Bless America and Korea.