[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H3543-H3548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
POPE JOHN PAUL II CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3544) to authorize a gold medal to be awarded on behalf of the
Congress to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring
contributions to peace and religious understanding, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3544
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pope John Paul II
Congressional Gold Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that Pope John Paul II--
(1) is the spiritual leader of more than one billion
Catholic Christians around the world and millions of Catholic
Christians in America and has led the Catholic Church into
its third millennium;
(2) is recognized in the United States and abroad as a
preeminent moral authority;
(3) has dedicated his Pontificate to the freedom and
dignity of every individual human being and tirelessly
traveled to the far reaches of the globe as an exemplar of
faith;
(4) has brought hope to millions of people all over the
world oppressed by poverty, hunger, illness, and despair;
(5) transcending temporal politics, has used his moral
authority to hasten the fall of godless totalitarian regimes,
symbolized in the collapse of the Berlin wall;
(6) has promoted the inner peace of man as well as peace
among mankind through his faith-
inspired defense of justice; and
(7) has thrown open the doors of the Catholic Church,
reconciling differences within Christendom as well as
reaching out to the world's other great religions.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on
behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design
to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring
contributions to peace and religious understanding.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of
the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the
``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of
the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such
regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, and at a price
sufficient to cover the costs thereof, including labor,
materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the
cost of the gold medal.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals
for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby
authorized to be charged against the Numismatic Public
Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for
the cost of the medal authorized by this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sales of
duplicate bronze medals under section 4 shall be deposited in
the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on rare occasions Congress awards the Congressional Gold
Medal to persons who have contributed significantly to making the world
more humane. This bill authorizes that such a medal be struck for the
Pope.
John Paul II's dedication of his Pontificate to the freedom and
dignity of every individual human being, his use of moral authority to
hasten the fall of totalitarian regimes, his efforts to reconcile
Christendom and reach out with respect to people of all faiths, and
most of all his commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ provide a
model of grace to all peoples of the world.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul wrote, ``I
have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for
the sake of the gospel, so that I too may share in it.''
Last Thursday, John Paul II celebrated his 80th birthday, and Saint
Paul's observation is an appropriate summary of Karol Wojtyla's
extraordinary trajectory on this earth, from the small town of his
birth in Southern Poland, Wadowice, through the war years in Cracow,
leadership of Cracow's Archdiocese during the difficult Communist
times, finally to the Ministry of Peter in Rome. In this journey, he
has left an indelible mark on his Church and the history of our times.
With the world watching, John Paul II has begun to show burdens of
age, but he has lost none of the extraordinary vigor that has
characterized the 21\1/2\ years of his Pontificate, one of the longest
in church history.
On New Year's eve, for instance, he celebrated a long, formal Te Deum
in Saint Peter's basilica, had dinner in his quarters with Vatican
aides and friends, after which they all sang carols. At midnight, he
appeared in his window and delivered his traditional New Year's
greeting to an adoring crowd in Saint Peter's Square below.
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Then he celebrated yet another mass, his first of the new millennium,
in his private chapel. His staff was exhausted, but by 9 the next
morning he was in another basilica in Rome leading another mass.
From the moment he became a priest in Cracow, Karol Wojtyla has
conceived his role as a pastor, a representative of Christ on Earth who
has to be seen by the faithful. Since he became Pope in October of
1978, he has made 92 pastoral trips abroad to 123 countries and
territories, meeting more leaders and bringing the message of God to
more people than any other Pontiff before him.
This year alone, he has been to Mount Sinai in Egypt, followed in
Christ's footsteps in the Holy Land, and prayed at the Shrine of the
Virgin Mary in Fatima, who he believes interceded to save his life when
he was shot in Saint Peter's Square in 1981.
As a leader of a billion members of his faith, John Paul II is
generally considered the preeminent religious leader in the world. But
his moral authority goes beyond his church. It extends to all who seek
a message of love and compassion, of dignity that defies materialism,
of freedom of thought unconstrained by political oppression.
Above all, he has urged people all over the world never to give up
hope. He likes to recall that his first words in Saint Peter's Square
were an echo of Christ's exhortation, ``Be not afraid.'' Wherever he
has traveled, John Paul II has championed human rights and individual
dignity, both of which, in his view, include freedom of worship. With
this definition of liberty, he turned the Church in his native Poland
into a protector, not only of Catholics but of all citizens oppressed
by communism, no matter their religion, if any. In so doing, he helped
discredit the Communist system in Poland and bring about its downfall
elsewhere in the world.
It used to be said in Poland that while he was the Archbishop of
Cracow, the country's Communist leaders considered him their greatest
threat. Likewise, in Moscow, once he became Pope. It is no accident
that China's leaders have so far refused to allow him to conduct a
pilgrimage in their country.
In traveling the world, John Paul II has reached out to the other
great religions. Last month, he sought to bridge the historic divide
between Christians and Jews. In a gesture of breathtaking eloquence in
its simplicity, he placed a sheet of paper in a crack in Jerusalem's
Western Wall: ``God of our fathers,'' he wrote, ``we are deeply
saddened by the behavior of those who, in the course of history, have
caused these children of yours to suffer; and asking your forgiveness,
we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of
the covenant.''
To exemplify his personal compassion, an elderly Israeli woman came
forth during this historic pilgrimage. She recalled how she was one of
the lucky ones who survived Hitler's concentration camps. Upon her
release in 1945, she was placed on a train to return to her home in
Cracow. When she arrived, barely able to stand, with hardly any flesh
on her bones, she stumbled onto the station platform, and there a
strong young man in priestly garb picked her up in his arms and carried
her two miles to a place where she could be nurtured back to health.
The priest was Karol Wojtyla.
{time} 1145
In times singularly bereft of leaders of high moral stature, John
Paul II stands out, a Pontiff whose presence fills the great basilica
of Saint Peter and radiates out beyond. In voting for this
Congressional Gold Medal, we are honoring a historic figure, an
individual whose conviction and morality have infused mankind with
renewed self-confidence.
In closing, I would like to quote these words by John Paul II that I
think express his soaring nobility:
``At the end of the second millennium, we need perhaps more than ever
the words of the risen Christ: `Be not afraid!' Man who, after
Communism, has stopped being afraid and who truly has many reasons for
feeling this way, needs to hear these words. Nations need to hear them,
especially those nations that have been reborn after the fall of the
Communist empire, as well as those who witnessed the event from
outside. Peoples and nations of the entire world need to hear these
words. Their conscience needs to grow on the certainty that Someone
exists who holds in his Hands the key to death and the netherworld,
Someone who is the Alpha and the Omega of human history, be it the
individual or collective history. And this Someone is Love, Love that
became man, Love crucified and risen, Love unceasingly present among
men. It is Eucharistic Love. It is the infinite source of communion. He
alone can give the ultimate assurance when He says `Be not afraid!' ''
Mr. Speaker, John Paul II has sundered depotism and ennobled faith by
displaying to fellow mortals the courage of conviction.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3544, and I associate myself
with the eloquent remarks of our distinguished chairman, the gentleman
from Iowa (Mr. Leach), with regard to the awarding of a Congressional
Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I, of course, as I said, rise in support of
this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I would point out that Pope John Paul II chose his name
from his two predecessors that reigned very briefly, Pope John Paul
XXIII and Pope Paul VI. He has, of course, for the past 2 decades been
the leader of a billion Catholics in the world, including myself. We
are very proud of the work that he has done and the tremendous
contributions he has made over the past 2 decades as we have seen the
startling changes occur around the globe. He has been instrumental in
his role in terms of leadership, positive leadership.
I have had the privilege when visiting in Rome with other Members of
Congress to have audiences with the Pope, as so many of my colleagues
have, and I am sure that they have been as impressed as I have been by
his breadth of vision and leadership and the charge that he admonished
us with with regards to our responsibility as elected officials, as
well as, of course, our responsibility as citizens of the world.
He has certainly exemplified that role in his much-traveled work, his
wonderful solidarity in spirit from his native Poland, one the first
non-Italian popes to have served in a long time. And, of course, being
an Italian-American, I'm very keenly aware of that ancestry and the
special role that he had played.
But to observe and to witness the types of changes that have occurred
in central Europe under the guidance and under his leadership and his
contributions has really been a joy for all of us to behold.
I might point out that, while much traveled, he has obviously been a
pioneer. His visit most recently I think in the last few years to Cuba,
as an example, pointed out that he is a great risk-taker in terms of
being willing to travel and to try and challenge the various governance
and human rights questions around the world. And in our hemisphere, as
well as in others, in Africa, his encyclicals with regards to social
and economic justice, as well as with regards to life, have been of
much use as we have tried to look for guidance and look for the finest
values of our society and of humanity and spirituality.
So I strongly rise in support of this measure. I commend the chairman
and the sponsors. I have been pleased to join as sponsor myself in this
measure. I urge my colleagues to strongly support this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a detailed statement of our
ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), and a
statement by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski) of the
Committee on Banking, both of whom admire and strongly support this
resolution. They have been called to the White House on a meeting. But
for that, they would surely be here in honor to make this presentation
by our side.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor a man
whose enduring contributions to humanity will forever be etched in
history: His Excellency, Pope John Paul II. As a spiritual leader of 1
billion Catholic Christians all over the world (millions of them in the
United States), and an inspiring force for peace to people of all
faiths, it is only fitting that we pay tribute to the Holy Father's
[[Page H3545]]
remarkable contributions to humanity. Pope John Paul II has touched the
lives of many and continues to be a powerful and enduring force in
fostering peace among nations, and in reconciling the three great
religious faiths of the children of Abraham: Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam. I am honored to stand before this House today, joining Catholics
from my district, the U.S., the rest of the world, and people of all
faiths, in recognizing this remarkable man's monumental contributions
to humanity.
Karol Joseph Wojtyla was born 80 years ago in an industrial town near
Cracow in Poland. In fact, the Holy Father just celebrated his 80th
birthday this past Thursday, May 18th, during which he celebrated Mass,
ate lobster with senior clergy in the Vatican, and sang songs with
Polish compatriots. As a teenager during the Second World War, Karol
Wojtyla experienced, first-hand, the horrors of Nazism, the Holocaust,
and soon thereafter, Communist totalitarianism. ``I have carried with
me the history, culture, experience and language of Poland,'' said the
Pope once. ``Having lived in a country that had to fight for its
existence in the face of the aggressions of its neighbors, I have
understood what exploitation is. I put myself immediately on the side
of the poor, the disinherited, the oppressed, the marginalized and the
defenseless,'' said the Pope.
After considering a career as an actor, and even petitioning three
times to become a Catholic monk, he was persuaded by the then-
Archbishop of Cracow--who recognized his charisma, oratorical talents,
and potential to help people directly--to pursue the priesthood. He was
ordained as a Catholic priest in 1946, became Archbishop of Cracow in
1958, Cardinal in 1967, and was elected Pope by the Vatican's college
of Cardinals in 1978 at the age of 58--the first non-Italian Pope since
1522.
The Holy Pontiff, by his own description, is a moral leader who
believes in the sanctity of the human being. Over the years, he has
denounced the excesses, and affronts to human dignity, of the two major
competing social systems of the 20th century, communism and capitalism.
He has condemned the atheistic and dehumanizing forces of Communism,
which he experienced in Poland. And he has denounced the more unsavory
aspects of modern capitalism, such as greed, abject poverty,
selfishness, and secular atheism. According to his spokesman, the Holy
Pontiff's goal is to establish a mode of Christian thinking to serve as
a meaningful alternative to the humanist philosophies of the 20th
century, such as Marxism and post-Modernism. His moral philosophy, and
its impact on world affairs, earned him the honor of Time magazine Man
of the Year of 1994, which described him as ``The most tireless moral
voice of a secular age.''
Pope John Paul II's moral philosophy has brought much needed
attention to the plight of the world's poor. In this vein, the Pope has
called for substantial reduction or outright cancellation of the
international debt that seriously threatens the future of many of the
poorest nations. Inspired in part by the Pope's example, we are proud
to have contributed to the enactment of international debt relief
legislation last year, which was facilitated by the Jubilee 2000
Movement--through which the Holy Father has nurtured meaningful
ecumenical cooperation.
Pope John Paul II has already left us a substantial body of written
work that will nourish future generations with the wisdom and
benevolence of this moral philosophy. In fact, his writings fill nearly
150 volumes. Through his encyclicals, homilies, letters, and other
writings, this ``Pope of Letters'' has inspired the world to embrace
universal principles of human dignity and human rights. In 1994, his
popular volume of philosophical and moral ruminations, Crossing the
Threshold of Hope, became an immediate best-seller in 12 countries.
The most traveled Pope in history, Pope John Paul II has brought his
message of peace and reconciliation to 117 countries. In his most
recent visit to Israel, for example, the Holy Father prayed at the
Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites. His prayer, an
unprecedented act of contrition on behalf of Catholic Christians, read
as follows: ``We are deeply saddened by the behavior of those who in
the course of history have caused these children of Yours to suffer
and, asking Your forgiveness, we wish to commit ourselves to genuine
brotherhood with the people of the Covenant.'' And how can we forget
his groundbreaking trip to Cuba in 1998? On that papal visit, he
condemned the dehumanizing and immoral aspects of both Cuban communism
and the outdated--and senseless--U.S. trade embargo. As customary, his
words echoed in the farthest corners of the world.
Pope John Paul II understands one of the most fundamental Christian
principles that has become a hallmark for fostering reconciliation:
forgiveness. In one of the most remarkable acts of forgiveness ever
witnessed publicly, the Holy Father confronted the man that attempted
to assassinate him and forgave him for his grave sin.
The Holy Father's acts of compassion stem from his inherently
benevolent nature. His compassion, charisma and moral authority are
celebrated by leaders of other faiths. For instance, the Dalai Lama,
the spiritual leader of the world's Buddhists, has said of the Pope:
``He really has a will and a determination to help humanity through
spirituality. That is marvelous. That is good. I know how difficult it
is for leaders on these issues.'' Rev. Billy Graham, a spiritual
adviser to many U.S. presidents, has also said about the Pope: ``He'll
go down in history as the greatest of our modern Popes. He's been the
strong conscience of the whole Christian world.''
Mr. Speaker, when Pope John Paul speaks, whether to those gathered at
St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, or in a Mass delivered in the
backwaters of Cuba, the world listens. The world listens because he is
the most powerful moral force in our lifetimes, an apostle for social
justice, a champion of the poor, and a harbinger of peace. I urge the
Congress to move swiftly on this legislation, so that we can bestow
this well deserved gold medal to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, at the
dawn of the New Millennium and the Jubilee 2000 celebration.
Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for
H.R. 3544, the Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. I am a
cosponsor of this notable legislation that would award Pope John Paul
II with a gold medal in recognition of his many powerful and enduring
contributions to international peace and religious understanding. This
bill is also necessary to honor a man who has served not only as a
spiritual leader to Catholic Christians in the United States and around
the World, but also as a political champion for human rights.
In the more than 20 years of his papacy, John Paul II has been an
exemplar of the power of faith against the forces of intolerance and
corruption. His support of the Solidarity trade union in his native
Poland in the early 1980s, combined with his unwavering support of
Catholics living in the former Soviet Bloc nations and his steadfast
opposition to the communist regimes suppressing their beliefs,
contributed immeasurably to the eventual collapse of those oppressive
systems.
Pope John Paul II has additionally been a tireless worker for
international peace, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles in order
to share his spiritual messages with millions of individuals like
myself. In October 1995, during his visit to the United States and the
United Nations, I had the opportunity to meet with the Pope John Paul
II and learn firsthand more about his good work.
The Pope's effort have also proven instrumental in virtually all of
the World's major conflicts of the past two decades. He brought his
message to Central America in the 1980's during its period of
revolution and bloodshed. He spread his message to fight apartheid in
South Africa, tribal war in Central Africa, and genocide in the
Balkans. In an effort to relieve them of their pain, he has traveled to
these places to show them he shares in their loss and despair. Most
recently, Pope John Paul II served as counsel in bringing together
Israelis and Palestinians in a non-denominational effort to cease the
brutal conflict that has plagued these two peoples for far too long.
This legislation is appropriate in light of the fact that many
entities around the world that have similarly honored the Pope. From
being designed as the Time Magazine's ``Man of the Year'' in 1994 to
serving as the namesake of a Catholic grade school in my hometown of
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, Pope John Paul II has received many honors. I
coincidentally have the good fortune of being visited today by 28
students in the graduating 8th Grade class at Pope John Paul II School.
I am therefore very pleased that we are at this time taking up this
legislation to honor the great man for whom their institution is named.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his 80th birthday and his
leading the Catholic Church into its Third Millennium, we should
acknowledge the important accomplishments Pope John Paul II has made to
our World during his lifetime. I encourage all Members of the House to
support this bill.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my good friend, the gentleman
from Minnesota (Mr. Vento), for his thoughtful observations.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished friend, the
gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman).
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the
time.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise; and it is an honor and privilege
to associate myself with the legislation offered by the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr.
[[Page H3546]]
Leach), which honors one of the most remarkable individuals alive
today, who is also one of most influential persons in all of world
history.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II celebrated his 80th birthday just last
week. The entire world expressed fellowship and congratulations upon
his reaching this milestone. It is an appropriate time, therefore, to
pay tribute to him by this measure.
The minting of a gold medal in his honor is a timely way that we in
the Congress, on behalf of all of the people in our Nation, can thank
this saintly man for his guidance and inspiration throughout the years.
His pontificate was the longest of the 20th century and is a beacon of
leadership as we begin the 21st century.
His Holiness was born in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920, just a short time
after his homeland gained its long-sought independence.
Karol Joseph Wojtyla, as he was known then, suffered under the Nazi
occupation of his nation, as did all of his generation. He was active
in an underground organization which helped Jewish people seek refuge
from the Nazis. It was his actions at that time, what he observed and
what he learned during World War II, that inspired him to enter the
priesthood. He was ordained on November 1, 1946 and, in October 1978,
was elected the first non-Italian Pope since 1522, taking the name John
Paul II to honor his three immediate predecessors.
In 1981, His Holiness was a victim of a dastardly assassination
attempt. Although he was hospitalized for 2\1/2\ months, his steely
courage, coupled with his splendid physical condition honed by a
lifetime of athletics, allowed his full recovery.
Throughout the past 22 years, Pope John Paul II has been an
inspiration to all of us and is universally beloved.
Mr. Speaker, the coinage of a gold medal in Pope John Paul's memory
is an appropriate way to begin this new century. I strongly urge our
colleagues to fully support this measure.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to mention that my colleague, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski), was hoping, as I said, to be here to
speak in support of the bill and was unexpectedly summoned to the White
House, as I indicated. If he had been here, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski) would have mentioned that Pope John Paul
II is the namesake of a Catholic grade school in his hometown of
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.
Coincidentally, he has the good fortune of being visited today by 28
students in the graduating 8th grade class at Pope John Paul II School,
who may have been here earlier but may have had to leave.
In any case, I wanted to mention that.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa
(Mr. Faleomavaega).
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to stand here to
extend my warmest congratulations and expression of appreciation to the
chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), for his
leadership in bringing this important legislation before our colleagues
for their approval.
I also want to thank our ranking member, the gentleman from New York
(Mr. LaFalce), and our good friend, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
Vento), for this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, it is only appropriate that we honor one of the greatest
spiritual giants of the world today, Pope John Paul II but not only
because he is a spiritual leader to some one billion Catholics around
the world but also for the fact that he stands as an example of a great
Christian in teaching spiritual values which cut through political
ideology, which is something that I have always admired about this
great Christian leader of the world.
Mr. Speaker, long before he became the Bishop of Rome, Pope John Paul
II was known as Karol Jozef Wojtyla, a young boy from Poland. According
to biography, Wojtyla's childhood was not happy. By the age of twelve,
he had lost his mother, brother and sister. Before he was ordained to
the priesthood, he lost his father. In the interim, World War II
ravaged Europe. When the Germans began rounding up Polish men, Wojtyla
took refuge in the archbishop of Krakow's residence. He remained there
until the end of the war.
In 1946, Wojtyla was ordained to the priesthood. He earned two
master's degrees and a doctorate. In 1978, the Sacred College of
Cardinals chose Wojtyla as the next pope after the death of John Paul
I.
Mr. Speaker, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to visit a
synagogue and the first to visit the Holocaust memorial at Auschwitz.
According to one report, in ending the Catholic-Jewish estrangement, he
calls Jews ``our elder brothers.''
I would like to offer even a little gesture to our majority
leadership by extending an invitation to Pope John Paul II to have a
joint session of the Congress and have this great leader address us,
because I think we all need his guidance and certainly some of the
examples that he will share with us, and perhaps a few words or a
sentence can be added into this resolution to extend that invitation to
Pope John Paul II to address this great body and to our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my good friend, the chairman of
the committee, for his leadership in bringing this legislation. I urge
my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), who has been one of our leaders on
the debt relief program championed by the Jubilee 2000, which is, of
course, one of the major initiatives of Pope John Paul II.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the kind words of the gentleman
from Minnesota (Mr. Vento).
Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega). The people of Alabama
and the people of American Samoa both share a love for Pope John Paul
II.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill introduced by my good
friend, the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Leach), to award the
Congressional Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II was born in Poland on May 18, 1920, and is said to
be the most recognized person in the world. He is by far the most
traveled Pope in the 2000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church,
having visited almost every continent and country where he personally
addressed tens of millions of people on almost each visit.
Pope John Paul II is one of the most important statesmen, diplomats,
and political figures of our time. But he is far more. He is a great
pastor, evangelist, and witness of Christianity. As spiritual leader to
the world's one billion Catholics, the Pope has commenced a great
dialogue with modern culture that transcends the boundaries of
political or economic ideologies that has dominated the world since the
beginnings of modernity in the 1700s.
He is one of the most prolific writers in this century. His writings
have made great contributions in the area of theology, philosophy,
sociology, politics, culture, and science. Having witnessed firsthand
the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and Communist regimes, the Pope
understands the true dignity of each human being. He has heroically
opposed the offences against human dignity that have tragically marked
the 20th century.
As much as any single person of this century, John Paul II has worked
to protect the rights of each individual and to promote respect and
understanding between cultures, nations, and peoples.
To truly find world peace, the Pope encourages all people to answer
the most important question we face: What is the ultimate truth about
man and his relationship to God?
As part of his pastoral work, the Pope has consistently identified
the moral challenges facing free societies and the importance of
resolving those challenges. The Pope has tirelessly preached against
the dangers of unreasonable and unfettered license that pays no respect
to the dignity of each person. His prophetic voice in the defense of
the unborn, the aged, and the marginalized is well known. His defense
of the dignity of all persons serves as a guideline for all Americans
on how to treat each other with respect, based not on mere sentiment
but on the deep and true respect for the image of God in each person.
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His ability to harmonize faith and reason sheds light on difficult
public
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and ethical issues that plague modern society. John Paul's pastoral
leadership gives hope and courage for millions of Catholics and
countless others in America who struggle to sanctify their lives in the
midst of the modern secular world.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, there is no question the Pope has been a
beacon of light and witness to hope for countless millions. It is only
appropriate to recognize these accomplishments and to show our
appreciation by awarding him the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to belatedly wish the Pontiff a happy birthday. His 80th
birthday was last week. This is an appropriate way for us to recognize
that as well. We hope he has many more.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today we honor Pope John Paul
II, who in his 20 years as leader of the Catholic Church has become
pastor to the world, boldly proclaiming the Gospel--the Good News of
Jesus Christ--and its message of love, hope, and reconciliation. The
Holy Father walks the path to peace that surpasses understanding, the
road that leads to Heaven. How appropriate it is that we honor him with
a Congressional Gold Medal, as he just celebrated his eightieth
birthday last week. Even after eight decades of doing the Lord's work
here on earth, the Pope's charisma and steadfast faith shine brightly,
giving hope to millions of people of all faiths.
During his pontificate the Holy Father has made an astonishing 176
visits to 117 different countries, he speaks some eight languages, and
has written 13 incisive encyclicals. He is truly a world leader, and an
unparalleled champion of those who cannot speak for themselves: the
poor, the unborn, those condemned to death, and those whose basic
rights as children of God are trampled upon by oppressive regimes. He
waged an unrelenting crusade against the forces of atheistic Communism,
and continues to preach the message of life, hope, and love amid the
oppressive tide of the culture of death. Pope John Paul II's encyclical
``The Gospel of Life'' (Evangelium vitae) reminds all of us--especially
those in public service--that the gift of human life is so precious, so
full of dignity, that it must remain inviolable and be defended against
all manner of violence.
The Pope writes in that important document that:
This is what is happening also at the level of politics and
government: the original and inalienable right to life is
questioned or denied on the basis of a parliamentary vote or
the will of one part of the people--even if it is the
majority. This is the sinister result of a relativism which
reigns unopposed: the ``right'' ceases to be such, because it
is no longer firmly founded on the inviolable dignity of the
person, but is made subject to the will of the stronger part.
And elsewhere in Evangelium vitae Pope John Paul II states in
unambiguous terms:
Abortion and euthanasia are thus crimes which no human law
can claim to legitimize. There is no obligation in conscience
to obey such laws; instead there is a grave and clear
obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection . . . In
the case of intrinsically unjust law, such as a law
permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never
licit to obey it, or to ``take part in a propaganda campaign
in favor of such a law, or vote for it.''
In the Kingdom of God, that civilization of life which John Paul II
has so fervently sought to build, there is no place for the systematic
killing of unborn children.
My family and I have had the awesome privilege of meeting the Holy
Father: in Newark, New Jersey, in the crowd in 1979 at New York's Shea
Stadium, and most recently in Guatemala. I have personally witnessed
and been inspired on numerous occasions by his power that comes from
being so rooted in God, and so devoted to the service of others. Pope
John Paul II is truly the Vicar of Christ on earth, a man who has, and
continues, to faithfully and courageously walk in the shoes of the
Fisherman, Peter.
It is said that the Holy Father has had no personal bank account
since being ordained a priest over 50 years ago. He has truly stored up
treasure in heaven, and we are all better people for his untiring work
here on earth.
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of
legislation, H.R. 3544, that would provide a Congressional Gold Medal,
on behalf of Congress, to Pope John Paul II. As a cosponsor of this
legislation and a member of the House Banking Committee, I believe that
this Congressional medal would be an appropriate honor for Pope John
Paul II who has served as the leader of the Catholic Church since 1978.
In order to be fiscally prudent, this legislation also includes a
provision stipulating that the cost of this medal should come from the
Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund and cannot exceed $30,000. In
addition, this legislation authorizes the sale of duplicate coins to be
deposited into the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to repay it for
this donation.
On May 18, 2000, the Holy Father celebrated his 80th birthday. This
Congressional Medal will help ensure that Pope John Paul II receives
recognition for the public service that he has provided to all
Catholics around the world. From his boyhood home of Krakow, Poland,
Pope John Paul II has never forgotten his roots. As a young man during
World War II, he witnessed the deportation of tens of thousands of
Polish Jews and Christians to Nazi death camps. This experience made an
indelible impression on the man who would become Pope John Paul II.
Just this year, in his first trip to the Holy Land, he eloquently
addressed survivors of the Holocaust. At Israel's Holocaust memorial,
Yad Vashem, Pope John Paul II assured the Jewish people that the
Catholic Church is deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution
and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians
at any time and in any place.
Pope John Paul II has made great contributions to mankind. For
example, this year the Holy Father lead an effort to reduce the poverty
among the poor by calling for the reduction or outright cancellation of
the international debt that is burdening the world's poorest nations as
part of the Jubilee 2000 project. I am pleased that Congress, with my
support, included this international debt relief legislation in last
year's omnibus appropriations bill. This law will ensure that the
world's poorest nations have much of their debt forgiven and instead
invest their scarce funds to rebuild domestic health and education
programs.
Pope John Paul II should also be recognized for his written works
that inspire the world to embrace universal principles of human dignity
and human rights. Some of his famous works include ``Notificationes,''
published in 1971. In 1981, he published the Encyclical Letter, Laborem
Exercens on Human Work. In 1982, he published the Apostolic Letter,
Caritatis Christi about the role of the church in China. In 1984, he
published the Apostolic Letter, Salvific Doloris on the Christian
Meaning of Human suffering.
Pope John Paul II worked tirelessly with the Solidarity movement in
Poland to oppose communism. In 1980 and 1981 he met with Lech Walesa of
the Polish Independent Syndicate Solidarnosc. He also traveled to
Poland on several occasions to encourage democracy in his birthplace.
In 1991, he met with Lech Walesa again, as the new President of the
Polish Republic.
Pope John Paul II has also worked tirelessly to bring his message of
peace and reconciliation to the world. In 1969, he visited the parish
of Corpus Domini and made a visit to the Jewish Community and the
Synagogue in the Kazimierz section of Krakow. He has traveled to 117
countries to pray with Catholics around the world. He recently traveled
to Jerusalem in Israel to the Western Wall. In 1998, he traveled to
Cuba to celebrate mass with that nation's Catholic parishioners.
I urge my colleagues to support this initiative to honor Pope John
Paul II, the Holy Father, with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-sponsor and support H.R.
3544, the Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. Over the
years, Pope John Paul II has become one of the world's greatest moral
and spiritual forces of all time. I admire His Holiness' efforts to
foster peace and promote justice, freedom, and compassion throughout
his life. In his travels around the world, Pope John Paul II has
inspired millions of people of all faiths and races because of his
strong desire for peace and brotherhood.
I had an opportunity to attend a private mass with His Holiness.
Afterwards, His Holiness remarked to me, ``Congressman, God bless
Ronald Reagan.'' Those five words speak volumes about a collaborative
partnership between Pope John Paul II and President Reagan to rid the
world of the evils of Soviet communism.
Without the help of His Holiness, America and her allies would not
have been successful in our efforts to free the world from Soviet
communism. Millions of citizens around the world owe Pope John Paul II
a debt of gratitude for his valiant efforts.
I want to thank His Holiness for his life and apostolate because he
is a man of peace whose words for a more just society inspire us all.
His Holiness is a deserving recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal
because he has done so much to help our troubled world.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of awarding the
Congressional Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II. It is difficult to talk
briefly about a man who has done so much since being elected to succeed
Pope John Paul I in 1978. So, let me make these few comments. Pope John
Paul II has worked tirelessly to unite the people of different
countries and different religions, regardless of their color or their
politics. He did this as a youth, as a professor at Catholic University
of Lublin, as the
[[Page H3548]]
Archbishop of Krakow and continues to do so as the head of the Roman
Catholic Church.
He is said to be the most recognized man in the world. In fact he was
named ``Man of the Year'' in Time magazine in 1994. But, that is not
why I stand before you. I stand before you because this man has
dedicated his life to the salvation of others.
I still remember when he was chosen by the College of Cardinals.
There was a great deal of discussion about him, not because he was
selected to become the Pope, but rather because he was the first non
Italian Pope since 1522 and because he was only 58 years old. Now,
twenty-two years later, neither his birth place nor his age are part of
the discussion. I think that there is a lesson for all of us in that
fact.
I support this award because Pope John Paul II has reached out to the
people of this planet. He encourages fraternity and encourages people
to live the gospel. And, in the final analysis, he has made the world a
better place for us to live. I cannot think of a better reason for this
body to give this or any award.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man,
Karol Jozef Wojtyla. Now known to the world as Pope John Paul II, this
leader of the Catholic Church has championed the cause of promoting
human rights and eliminating poverty and hunger around the world.
Called by some the man of the century, John Paul II has been unafraid
to articulate his vision of a better world and has the passion and
integrity to work toward that goal. The bottom line in the debate over
the nature of truth and freedom, he argues, is the sanctity of all
humans who are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights, including life and liberty--as written in
our very own Declaration of Independence.
He was also a key figure at a pivotal juncture in world history. As a
Cardinal in Poland, he was a shrewd and unflinching opponent of
communism, advancing the church's agenda without allowing outright
hostility and repression to develop.
As Pope, his support of the Solidarity movement was instrumental in
the downfall of the government.
Today, just over nineteen years after a would-be assassin shot him on
May 13, 1981, we vote to award Pope John Paul II with the Congressional
Gold Medal. I ask all Members and the world to acknowledge his faith,
his intellect and his wonderful contributions.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
3544, the Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. As you know
this bill would authorize a gold medal to be awarded on behalf of the
Congress to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring
contributions to peace and religious understanding.
Born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland in 1920, Pope John Paul II has
remained a leading champion of human rights around the world, and a
strong moral leader for us all. Ordained in 1946, Pope John Paul II
spent eight years as a professor of social ethics at the Catholic
University of Lublin, Poland. In 1964, he was named the archbishop of
Krakow and only three years later he was appointed cardinal by Pope
Paul VI. As the Archbishop of Krakow, he would prove himself to be a
noble and trustworthy pastor in the face of Communist persecution.
On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla was elected Pope. He took the
name of his predecessors, and became the first Polish leader of the
Roman Catholic Church and the youngest Pope in this century. In this
capacity--as our society has grappled with serious social questions,
Pope John Paul II has dealt with them in such a way as to maintain a
peaceful and fair world order. In fact, over the last 50 years, he has
remained a dedicated servant to the world. Throughout his many travels,
he has promoted peace, nuclear disarmament, and the conquering of world
hunger among other things. In addition, he has remained a beacon of
strength and hope for every world citizen he comes into contact with.
As a result, I fully support this act and urge my colleagues to
authorize the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of Pope John Paul II.
God bless you and God Bless America.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor
and strong supporter of H.R. 3544, to award a Congressional Gold Medal
to Pope John Paul II for his outstanding leadership in promoting peace
and understanding across the globe. Pope John Paul II is one of the
greatest humanitarians of all time and this special award is a
testament to his successful life's work in making the world a better
and safer place.
Pope John Paul II has been a revolutionary in the world of religion.
He has been a spiritual leader to over one billion Catholic Christians
around the globe. He has served as an inspiration to millions of
American Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Pope John Paul II has led the charge to unify not only diverse sects
of Christianity, but also to bridge the gaps between all respected
religious peoples throughout the world.
Over the years, Pope John Paul II has traveled the world as a
``warrior of peace.'' His tireless effort to bring people together of
different faiths has demonstrated to the rest of the world the
wonderful possibilities of the good that can and will prevail when
people of diverse, sometimes seemingly bipolar backgrounds begin to
listen to one another too long.
From the United States to developing nations, Pope John Paul II has
traversed the globe with a message of hope and freedom as our New
Economy's prosperity continues to beat down the plight of poverty.
Pope John Paul II should be commended for his work in promoting
democracy and for the demise of communism throughout Europe. Being such
an outspoken leader in the battle of good versus evil enabled Pope John
Paul II to play a critical role in the debate which lead to the fall of
the Berlin Wall. Time and time again, Pope John Paul II spoke up and
defended liberty and justice wherever totalitarian regimes have arisen.
Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for bringing consideration of this
legislation to the House Floor. Pope John Paul II is a deserving
recipient of this special award, as he has been a leader in promoting
peace and democracy throughout the world. With that said, I am
privileged to join my colleagues in support of awarding Pope John Paul
II the Congressional Gold Medal.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3544, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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