[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 6 (Saturday, January 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E29]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E29]]



REGARDING THE PRESENTATION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO POPE JOHN 
  PAUL II INCLUDING REMARKS OF CONGRESSMAN JOE MOAKLEY AND REMARKS OF 
                           POPE JOHN PAUL II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, January 20, 2001

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to let my colleagues know that 
last week, on January 8, 2001, I had the opportunity to present the 
Congressional Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II. I was joined by my 
colleagues Joe Moakley of Massachusetts, Jim Leach of Iowa, Chris Cox 
of California, Sherwood Boehlert of New York, Chris Smith of New 
Jersey, Bud Cramer of Alabama, Chris John of Louisiana and Don Sherwood 
of Pennsylvania. Members of the other body, led by Senator Sam 
Brownback and Senator Barbara Mikulski, also joined us.
  Pope John Paul II still possesses great strength in spirit and he was 
quite generous with his time with the Congressional delegation. As he 
was leaving the end of the meeting, he waved good-bye to us and said, 
``God Bless America.'' It was a moment that touched the hearts of all 
who were in the room. John Paul II, the man who has done so much to 
spread good will across the world as he worked tirelessly to bring down 
communism in Eastern Europe, is a hero to millions of Americans, 
whether they are Catholic or non-Catholic.
  Inserted below, you will find the remarks I made at the ceremony and 
the remarks the Pope made in response. Also included below are remarks 
made by my colleague, Joe Moakley, who traveled with us on the trip. It 
was a magical day and I thank the House for allowing me to make this 
special presentation to Pope John Paul II.
  ``Today, I'm pleased that the Congress has bestowed this honor to 
you, John Paul II, and that you have agreed to accept it. This award 
celebrates your life not only as a spiritual leader of a billion 
Catholics, but also as a peacemaker, healer and beacon of light to the 
whole world.
  ``For your more than 20 years as Pope, you have tirelessly traveled 
this globe preaching a message of love and truth. You have delivered 
your message in different languages, to different cultures, to people 
of different ages, economic backgrounds and political persuasions.
  ``You are a pillar of morality, an advocate for the poor and the 
oppressed and a voice for the unborn and the aged. Your strong words 
inspire the 1 billion Catholics you lead and impress people of various 
faiths all over the world. You have helped to bring down barriers that 
threaten our world's unity. You have played a pivotal role in the 
downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe and you have expanded dialogue 
with political and religious leaders in the Holy Land.
  ``In this past year--the Jubilee year--you worked harder than ever to 
make sure your reconciling message was heard. While the holy year is 
now over, the beauty of your Jubilee message continues to resonate in 
the hearts of the world's people.''

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