[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 186 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 186

             Honoring the life's work of Pope John Paul II.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 5, 2005

 Mr. Higgins submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
             Honoring the life's work of Pope John Paul II.

Whereas Pope John Paul II was born Karol Jozef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in 
        Wadowice, Poland, and was baptized in the Church of the Presentation of 
        the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Whereas Karol Wojtyla defied the Nazi regime in the pursuit of his faith, 
        studying secretly to become a Roman Catholic priest during the German 
        occupation of Poland in World War II;
Whereas on November 1, 1946, Karol Wojtyla was ordained a priest and began his 
        formal service to his faith, to God, and to his fellow men;
Whereas during his service to God in Poland, Karol Wojtyla defied Communist 
        regimes through the indoctrination and proselytization of his faith, 
        serving as Assistant Pastor at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady 
        in Niegowic, then Assistant Pastor of St. Florian's Church in Krakow, 
        then Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow, and then Archbishop of Krakow;
Whereas on June 26, 1967, Karol Wojtyla was elevated to the College of 
        Cardinals;
Whereas on October 16, 1978, Karol Wojtyla was elected the 264th Pope of the 
        Catholic Church and took the name John Paul II;
Whereas after surviving an attempt on his life on May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul 
        II beseeched humanity to ``Pray for the brother who shot me, whom I have 
        sincerely forgiven,'' teaching a powerful lesson of absolution that 
        resonated with the world's people;
Whereas John Paul II was the most traveled Pope in history, used his influence 
        to mediate conflicts around the world in Europe, Africa, South America, 
        Asia, and the Middle East, and established diplomatic relations with 
        more than 70 nations, including the State of Israel;
Whereas in his official papal visits to Rome's main synagogue and to the Holy 
        Land, in his outreach to people of other faiths through the First World 
        Day of Prayer for Peace, and in his outreach to the Jewish community for 
        forgiveness for past Christian intolerances, Pope John Paul II bridged 
        many of the divisions among our world's religions;
Whereas Pope John Paul II connected with and inspired youth throughout his life, 
        often using modern communication from radio to Internet to spread his 
        message to the world's children;
Whereas throughout his time on earth, Pope John Paul II fought tyranny, 
        oppression, inequity, and hatred through his life's work of love, 
        acceptance, peace, justice, and hope through faith in God; and
Whereas on April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II passed away, his pontificate having 
        spanned 26 years, 5 months, and 17 days, having touched countless lives 
        with his exemplary leadership and devout faith, and having influenced 
        millions of people around the world and here in the United States: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the life's work of Pope John Paul II;
            (2) extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the 
        members of the Roman Catholic Church; and
            (3) recognizes the significant contributions made by Pope 
        John Paul II during his lifetime in championing human rights, 
        fighting for universal peace, assisting developing nations, 
        promoting just economic development, and teaching tolerance of 
        all faiths.
                                 <all>