Hi.. There is a picture of Senator B. G. Dyess in the Alexandria Town Talk (Alexandria, La) today....January 10, 1999....... There is the article that accompanies the picture: ================== PRAYER RALLY.....spiritual help is sought for Beauregard's Schools by Jules miller Staff reporter DERIDDER----Hundreds of people gathered Saturday in prayer, asking in earnest that Beauregard Parish administrators and teachers do good this year. "We're here today sincerely praying that God will touch and move us in a spiritual, divine way so that things will get better in this state, in this country for the present and the next generation," said state Senator B. G. Dyess, D-Alexandria. "We are praying to that end." Dyess was the keynote speaker at the hour-long prayer rally held in the auditorium of the DeRidder High School. Several schools and local musicians performed a variety of songs, ranging from "Give Me That Old Time Religion" to "On My Knees", Kari McCarty, a flutiest, performed a patriotic medley. The prayer rally, the first for Beauregard Parish, was to encourage the "great tasks" that lay before the school system's new superintendent, Joe Aguillard, and the newly-elected School Board members, plus administrators, teachers and students. Event organizer, the Rev. Jon Tellifero of the First United Methodist Church, said he patterned the prayer rally, dubbed Lincoln's Call, after a similar move made by President Lincoln in 1863. Lincoln had asked all, regardless of faith, to spend a day praying and fasting for the nation's future. "That's something we needed--the best for our future and our children," Tellifero said. DYESS told the gathering that those in Beauregard Parish had a lot to be thankfulfor, but much cencern remains. "That concern is expressed by those who come here today," DYESS said. "Our school system is at, perhaps, its lowest ebb, even in my lifetime." But, that can change through prayer, he said. "Is prayer profitable? Is what we're doing here today profitable," asked DYESS moments before receiving a standing OVATION for his comments. "We believe it is or else we wouldn't be here today. My friends, prayer is profitable." Robert Graham, who has children in the Beauregard Parish schools, was delighted at hearing DYESS' comments. "it can do us only good," Graham said of the prayers offered by hundreds of people who attended the rally. DeRidder resident Sarah Biggs said that as a Beauregard Parish teacher and parent she stands behind the prayer rally. "I'm a firm believer that prayer is going to get us through it to make it better," Mrs. Biggs said. Tellifero said Saturday's event could only hearten those involved in the educational system about the value of life. Life is worth giving one's best and making great contributions of which the key ingredients are prayer and emotional and spiritual support, he said. "That keeps us going even in hard times," Tellifero said. End of the aritle... HOWEVER........... Here is what is under the picture of Senator B. G. Dyess..... Sen. B. G. Dyess, D-Alexandria, told hundreds gathered Saturday for a prayer rally that prayer can profit the Beauregard Parish schools system and the children educated there. This was the first time such a prayer rally was held in the parish...... =============== Informational only.... DeRidder, La is located about 55 WEST of Alexandria, La...... The Rev. Senator B. G. Dyess.... is the Son of J. B. (Josie) Dyess Grandson of Edmond D. Dyess Great Grandson of Thomas D. Dyess Great Great Grandson of John Dyess kaite... http://www.kaite.com/