Today, strengthen our senators as they deal with unattended needs and unresolved problems. Make them eager to lift burdens to bring deliverance to captives and to give hope to the oppressed. May our lawmakers serve humanity in a way that glorifies you. Keep them open to a growing faith and a maturing set of convictions. 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. , march 25, 2014. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable cory booker, a senator from the state of new jersey, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed patrick j. Leahy, president pro tempore.