Former councilor cut off during public comments about National Day of Prayer

Clement Fleurent ran past his three-minute limit when reminding the Biddeford City Council about a national prayer event

Time to Read | 3-5 minutes | 739 words

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Once again – just like every year since 1952 — community leaders across the United States will celebrate the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7.

The National Day of Prayer is designated as day set aside for national, state and local leaders to recognize the importance of recognizing a power greater than anything contrived by human activity.

Former City Councilor Clement Fleurent took the public podium during Tuesday’s city council meeting to remind Mayor Liam LaFountain, members of the city council and the general public about the significance of the annual event.

Fleurent, 91, said he was disappointed because usually the city’s mayor will read a proclamation about the event into the public record during a regular meeting before the event.

**DOING THE LORD’S WORK** | Former Biddeford City Councilor Clement Fleurent said he was frustrated Tuesday when he was not allowed to exceed this three-minute limit during his public remarks about the National Day of Prayer event | *Randy Seaver photo*

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Undaunted, Fleurent took it upon himself this year to make sure that this neighbors and city leaders knew about the event that was established on April 17, 1952, when President Harry S. Truman signed a joint resolution of Congress.

Truman’s resolution creating a National Day of Prayer was later amended in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan – and was designated to permanently occur on the first Thursday in May.

Although established in 1952, the event’s origins can be traced back to “days of fasting and prayer” that began with the Continental Congress in 1775.

Typically, when addressing the city council, members of the public have a three-minute window to make their case.

Fleurent, who served a decade on the council between 2003 and 2013, had written remarks prepared but ran out of time.

He seemed a bit confused and disappointed when acting Council President Patricia Boston cut him off as his speaking time expired.

“But I had it all timed out,” Fleurent said, clearly troubled that he was not allowed to complete his public remarks.

Although he was unable to finish his full remarks at the podium, Fleurent was successful in reminding elected leaders and the viewing public that this year, the National Day of Prayer will be celebrated during a simple ceremony at New Life Church in Biddeford, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Fleurent told the council that he is part of a grassroots task force that promotes the significance and importance of the National Day of Prayer, invoking a Bible passage from II Corinthians, 7 -14, which instructs the Lord’s followers to set aside time for prayer.

Pray for all leaders . . . and the media

According to the National Day of Prayer website the event is not just a day for political leaders to recognize and honor the power of prayer.

The grassroots organization says that people with “creative gifts, including artists, musicians, entertainers and even members of the media.

“As people populated the Earth, God poured creative talents into people for different works that would benefit them and glorify the Lord,” according to the organization’s website.

“The average American consumes a high volume of media influence each day: entertainment television, digital games, social media, news and music. These influences shape the things we think about, the words we say, and the way we see others and treat them.

“It takes prayer to discern what media influences will keep the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts acceptable and pleasing to God. (Psalm 19:14)”

“Next year, I’ll be better prepared
when I go to the podium.”
— Clem Fleurent

Fleurent was one of 12 children, and like many other Franco-Americans, he was raised as a Catholic. His late wife, Virginia, was not a Catholic.

Over time, Fleurent, says he drifted away from his Roman Catholic heritage, a trend shared by many members of his family.

“I was looking for something deeper,” he said. “I wanted a closer connection with the Lord, and when you read the Bible, it becomes clear that we all should be rigorous in acknowledging the Lord and his power.”

“Next year, I’ll be better prepared when I go to the podium,” Fleurent joked on Wednesday morning.

In fairness, other members of the public who spoke about other issues before the council were also held to tight time standards on Tuesday evening.

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