[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9719-H9720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING POPE JOHN PAUL II

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, earlier today the House voted on H. Res. 400 
acknowledging Pope John Paul II's 25th year as the pontiff.
  I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on his remarkable life that 
so many can draw tremendous strength from in a world that often 
challenges our strength.
  Some who see him now see this older man, stooped and bowed by age, 
trembling with his hands, now leaning on his crosier when he can stand 
for support, and what a different view that is from the young Karol 
Wojtyla who had such strength and vibrancy of character. And yet 
despite his age, it is remarkable how he continues to be such an 
example for all the world. Even though there are so many challenges 
around, his strength continues to shine through in a changing world.
  I thought it was worth reflecting on what it is about the Holy Father 
that has given him his strength that adds particular interest to our 
resolution today in commemorating such an incredible life.
  Some have said that to understand this Pope you need to go back to 
his roots in Poland. He was born on May 18, 1920. From early on in 
life, suffering was very much a part of him. Poland itself is a nation 
that has seen itself go from perhaps one of the leaders in medieval 
days to a country divided up and essentially had so many of its 
citizens turned into near slaves in this century and the last. Many 
Polish citizens continue to reflect upon their own history as a source 
of strength, and indeed it is with the Pope.
  His father was a devout and upright man, a decorated World War I 
officer. His mother, apparently of delicate health, would suffer much 
on her own, and had a young daughter who died before Karol was born. 
His own mother died when he was eight, and his father when he was a 
young man. And his brother died, too. He said at one point, ``By the 
time I was 20, I had already lost all the people I loved, even those 
who I might have loved, like my older sister, who died 6 years before I 
was born.''
  His suffering gave him incredible meaning in his life. As a young 
man, he and his father stood in line once with other refugees of World 
War II, and they were sprayed with machine gun fire from aircraft. He 
was arrested at age 21, narrowly escaping being sent to Auschwitz. He 
lay in the basement of his house praying with his arms outstretched in 
the shape of a cross while Nazi officers went through the house. He was 
hit by a speeding truck during the war, and probably would have died if 
caring citizens did not take care of him.
  It was the problems he had with World War II which gave him strength

[[Page H9720]]

during the time when the communists took over Poland as well. Again, 
the suffering continued. The oppression of the Catholic Church, that he 
saw so much of during World War II, continued as well. And yet he used 
his position as a bishop and cardinal to give guidance and strength to 
the people of his region.
  It was no wonder when he was chosen to hold the position of Holy 
Father some 25 years ago, the other cardinals and people in a world saw 
him as a source of strength in a world that was badly needed in a world 
that was weakened by lack of courage and moral fiber.
  His struggles have shaped him and given him incredible strength. He 
has visited some 125 countries around the world, remained active in 
sports, visited many churches, and as incredible as it may seem, still 
could draw crowds of hundreds of thousands of youth. A million came to 
the World Youth Day that he had not too long ago, youth wanting to see 
him and get a glimpse of this man, the Holy Father whom they see as a 
great source of strength. He is gentle. Despite his strength, the most 
incredible thing that stands out is still how he would reach out to 
those weak, sick, poor, those who were sinners. Some fail and blame 
their history, some move forward despite their history, and some 
achieve greatness because of the suffering they have been through. We 
owe a great deal to this incredible man.

                          ____________________