[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 145 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING HIS HOLINESS, POPE JOHN PAUL II, UPON HIS SILVER JUBILEE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join in the celebration of His 
Holiness, Pope John Paul II, who is marking his Silver Jubilee as the 
spiritual leader of more than 1 billion Catholics around the world.
  It was 25 years ago today that Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the Archbishop 
of Krakow, was elected Pope--the youngest chosen in a century. This 
Cardinal, little-known outside of native-Poland, stood before a crowd 
of 200,000 in St. Peter's Square and emotionally stated that he had 
been afraid to accept the nomination, but had done so in obedience to 
Christ.
  While he came from meager beginnings, he will be remembered for 
fostering peace throughout the world. This is because His Holiness 
knows the persecution of oppression. He studied for the priesthood in 
secrecy and saw those he grew up with killed and victimized due to the 
Nazi Occupation. He later witnessed firsthand the communist subjugation 
of his native Poland.
  Since becoming Pope, he has traveled more extensively throughout the 
world than any predecessor, during which time he has spread the message 
of peace, religious freedom, and human dignity.
  His Holiness was instrumental in the demise of communism in his 
native Poland, which in turn fostered the spread of democracy 
throughout the world.
  His Holiness has reached out in an unprecedented manner to peoples of 
other beliefs and religions all over the world to establish a dialog 
which may lead to greater understanding, healing, and harmony, 
including praying for unity among Christian churches, reconciliation 
with the Jewish people, and specifically acknowledging those times in 
which the Catholic Church has failed to act in accordance with its 
teachings. He has also led a pilgrimage to the Middle East, preaching 
coexistence, peace, tolerance, and goodwill throughout this 
historically conflicted territory.
  His Holiness has used his position as a world leader to become the 
foremost voice in fostering ties of brotherhood and promoting peace and 
reconciliation in the world today. His many efforts have invited his 
being bestowed with the Congressional Medal of Honor on January 8, 
2001.
  I ask my congressional colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
this devoted spiritual leader and to celebrate with him this Jubilee.

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