Our senators with your constant love and faithfulness, answering them when they call to you in prayer. Help them to make every effort to do your will on earth, giving you their doubts and fears as they trust you to order their steps. May they realize that weakness provides an opportunity for your strength to be revealed. We pray in your great name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington, d. C. , october 29, 2013. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable edward j. Markey, a senator from the commonwealth of massachusetts, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed patrick j. Leahy, pres