Coughlin has noted that he " sensed how deeply lawmakers value prayer and the presence of the chaplain in the halls of Congress " after the September 11 attacks . He has noted that his understanding of this need brought " a further gravity to his duties . " Coughlin has sometimes referred to the " House family , " to which he offers pastoral care regardless of the religions of its members and staffers , or whether individuals identify with a religious faith at all . For example , during the 110th Congress , when six House members died , Coughlin sensed the pain of Congress , even while he worked with families and ceremonies linked to this unusually high number of deaths
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Daniel Coughlin