[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             POPE JOHN PAUL II CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

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                               speech of

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2000

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3544 which 
would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II. As he 
celebrates his 80th birthday this Thursday, May 25, the spiritual 
leader of more than one billion Catholics around the world and millions 
of Catholics in the United States deserves our nation's highest 
Congressional honor.
  In the recent past, we have honored Mother Teresa and South African 
President Nelson Mandela. The Pope clearly serves in such company as a 
global figure who continues to make an impact on spiritual and moral 
leadership and the struggle for equal rights and protection for all 
people.
  There is no doubt that historians of the future will single out Pope 
John Paul II as one of the most influential leaders of his time. He 
used all the modern tools in transportation and communications to 
personally deliver his message of love and compassion to the far 
reaches of the globe. He not only made dialogue, but also influenced 
world movements such as the fall of Communism and the beginning of the 
third millennium of Christianity on earth.
  We are fortunate to have lived in such changing times and to have had 
such leaders as the Pontiff who recognized the ever-changing facets of 
life around him and took steps to utilize necessary tools to effect 
change for the better. As he travels the world, he leads by example as 
a symbol of tolerance, peace and fairness not only for Catholics, but 
for people of different faiths, ethnicity and economic status. I 
commend the House for bringing this legislation to the floor and urge 
the enactment of this bill as expeditiously as possible.

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