[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2076-H2078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WELCOMING HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ON HIS FIRST APOSTOLIC VISIT 
                          TO THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 838) welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on 
his first apostolic visit to the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 838

       Whereas Joseph Alois Ratzinger ascended to the Papacy and 
     chose the name Benedict XVI on April 19, 2005, becoming the 
     265th reigning Pope in the history of the Roman Catholic 
     Church;
       Whereas he was born and baptized on April 16, 1927, in 
     Marktl am Inn, Germany;
       Whereas he was required to leave seminary at the age of 16 
     and forced into military service for Nazi Germany;
       Whereas he risked grave danger by defecting from the Nazi 
     anti-aircraft corps in 1945 and subsequently spent time in an 
     Allied prisoner of war camp;
       Whereas he was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1951;
       Whereas he is a highly regarded theologian and scholar, 
     having served in various university posts from 1959 until 
     1977;
       Whereas he has written 25 books and given thousands of 
     hours of lectures, making him one of the most prolific 
     theologians in modern times;
       Whereas he participated as a theological advisor to the 
     Second Vatican Council from 1962 until 1965;
       Whereas he was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising 
     in Germany on March 24, 1977, and ordained a bishop on May 
     28, 1977;
       Whereas he was elevated to cardinal on June 27, 1977;
       Whereas he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for 
     the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Pontifical 
     Biblical Commission on November 25, 1981;
       Whereas he was elected Dean of the College of Cardinals on 
     November 27, 2002;
       Whereas Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Bishop 
     of Rome on April 24, 2005;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has made repeated calls for 
     peaceful resolutions to international conflicts;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has made reconciliation and peace 
     an important goal of his Papacy on an ecumenical level 
     reaching out to both Orthodox and Protestant Churches and in 
     an inter-religious manner with Judaism and Islam;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has affirmed the dignity of the 
     human person with respect to refugees, exiles, evacuees, and 
     other migrant persons;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has decried the imminent dangers 
     posed by terrorism and extremism; and
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has identified the failed 
     revolutions and violent ideologies of the 20th century as 
     being the result of the ``Dictatorship of Relativism'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives 
     welcomes His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his first 
     apostolic visit to the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

[[Page H2077]]

  I would first like to commend my distinguished colleague, 
Representative McCotter of Michigan, for introducing this timely and 
important measure.
  Next week, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, will make his first 
apostolic visit to the United States. It is appropriate that the House 
support H. Res. 838 in welcoming this distinguished leader of a church, 
which has more than 1 billion members worldwide.
  During his 5-day visit, Pope Benedict will hold numerous meetings in 
Washington, DC, and New York City. His schedule includes a private 
conversation with President Bush, a candle lighting and prayer service 
at Ground Zero, and two widely anticipated masses--at the brand new 
Nationals Park and the venerable Yankee Stadium. He will be only the 
third person in history to address the United Nations General Assembly.
  In addition to meeting U.S. bishops and Catholic groups, Pope 
Benedict will spend time with members of non-Christian faiths. In 
particular, he will meet with representatives of Jewish groups to 
acknowledge the start of Passover.

                              {time}  1030

  This practice is very much in keeping with Pope Benedict's stated 
emphasis on reconciliation and faith at the ecumenical level, as he has 
sought to foster dialogue with a range of religious groups.
  And last but not least, during his visit to our country Pope Benedict 
will celebrate an important milestone, his 81st birthday.
  Joseph Ratzinger was born and baptized on April 16, 1927, in Marktl 
am Inn, Germany. Forced to leave seminary at the age of 16 for 
compulsory military service with the Nazi anti-aircraft corps, he 
defected at great personal risk and spent time in an Allied prisoner of 
war camp.
  In 1951, he was ordained to the priesthood, embarking on a career as 
one of the most prolific theologians in modern times. He served in 
numerous university posts, authored 25 books and thousands of hours of 
lectures, and participated as a theological adviser to the Second 
Vatican Council.
  Before becoming Pope, he distinguished himself first as Archbishop of 
Munich and Freising, and then dean of the College of Cardinals, and 
finally as the Bishop of Rome.
  He ascended to the Papacy on April 19, 2005. After nine apostolic 
visits in Europe and one to Brazil, the 265th pontiff is now traveling 
to the United States. It is with great pleasure that I welcome him to 
our country, the home of more than 66 million Catholics. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of H. Res. 838 extending this 
Chamber's welcome to Pope Benedict XVI who will be making his first 
visit to the United States next week in his role as leader of the 
Catholic Church.
  Pope Benedict was elected to the Papacy just 3 years ago, succeeding 
Pope John Paul II, who had led the Catholic Church for close to three 
decades.
  The Holy Father's visit provides an opportunity to reflect on his 
life and his teachings. Pope Benedict has devoted his life to his faith 
and to the promotion of peace. From his early days as a priest, he has 
also sought to inspire others to always search for the truth.
  On May 28, 1977, over 30 years ago, he declared that his duty was to 
``follow the truth and be at its service.'' On that occasion, he went 
on to say, ``In today's world the theme of truth is omitted almost 
entirely, as something too great for man, and yet everything collapses 
if truth is missing.''
  Moreover, Pope Benedict has spent his years of service in the church 
in an effort to clarify the tenets of the Catholic faith. After serving 
as president of the commission that reviewed the Catholic Catechism, he 
presented a new Catechism to Pope John Paul II.
  To date, he has written 25 books, which are now used as reference 
sources for many who are interested in a deeper study of theology. He 
served as the adviser of theological affairs to the Second Ecumenical 
Vatican Council, a gathering of great importance that was the largest 
in the church's history. This council adopted significant changes in 
the doctrines of the Catholic Church and its central legacy--its 
reforms--were meant to ensure that the heart of the church and its 
mission would be focused on helping people.
  The council urged greater engagement by the church to elevate the 
dignity of all human life, to ease suffering, end poverty in needy 
countries, and to promote international peace. This council was also 
intent on encouraging reconciliation between those in the Catholic 
Church and those of other beliefs.
  Since ascending to the Papacy in April of 2005, the Pope has advanced 
those doctrines in church affairs, particularly in inter-religious 
dialogue.
  On September 7, 2007, Pope Benedict visited Austria, where he joined 
Jewish leaders in a silent tribute to the victims of the Nazi 
Holocaust, and he joined Vienna's chief rabbi in a memorial to the 
65,000 Viennese Jews who perished in Nazi death camps.
  During his time in the United States, he will visit the Park Street 
Synagogue in New York City and he will meet with Holocaust survivor 
Rabbi Arthur Schneier.
  Monsignor David Malloy, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of 
Catholic Bishops, said of this meeting: ``By this personal and informal 
visit, which is not part of his official program, His Holiness wishes 
to express his good will toward the local Jewish community as they 
prepare for Passover.''
  In October of 2006, Pope Benedict met with the Dalai Lama in the 
Vatican. And when he visited Turkey, he prayed at the Blue Mosque, and 
he now plans to meet with Muslim scholars and religious leaders at a 
Catholic-Muslim seminar to be held later this year in Rome.
  Pope Benedict has underscored his support for interfaith 
reconciliation with statements such as the following: ``If friendship 
with God becomes for us something even more important and decisive, 
then we will begin to love those whom God loves and who are in need of 
us. God wants us to be friends of his friends and we can be so.''
  Mr. Speaker, Pope Benedict's wise words of inspiration, hope, and 
peace can serve to guide all of us. It is my pleasure to rise in 
support of this resolution welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to 
the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth).
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 838 to 
welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his first apostolic visit to 
the United States, and to honor a key reason for his visit: The 
bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
  Only Baltimore and New Orleans retain older Archdioceses than the 
four created by Pope Pius VII 200 years ago yesterday. It was on that 
day, April 8, 1808, that His Holiness created a diocese in New York, 
Boston, Philadelphia, and Bardstown, Kentucky. To be Bishop in 
Bardstown, he tabbed an exile of the French Revolution, Benedict Joseph 
Flaget, a name revered in Louisville to this day.
  Dubbed the ``First Bishop of the West,'' Bishop Flaget was 
responsible for an area that now covers more than 40 dioceses. He 
immediately led a spirited period of growth in the area, establishing 
numerous seminaries, churches, and schools where none had existed 
before. For many, these institutions provided the lone opportunity to 
pursue a quality education and reinforce one's faith.
  And it was Bishop Flaget, in 1841, who moved the Bardstown diocese to 
the burgeoning city of Louisville. With the diocese at its core, a 
strong Catholic community grew in Louisville and in the surrounding 
areas; one united not only by a shared faith, but by a mutual moral 
sense of community, education and service.
  That community grew and thrived for nearly a century, and in 1937 
became the Archdiocese of Louisville as we know it today, now serving 
over a million people and 24 Kentucky counties. It was in service to 
the Archdiocese of Louisville that Thomas Merton, one of the most 
influential religious authors of the 20th century, had his legendary 
``Louisville Epiphany'' that led to an impassioned and inspired quest 
for peace and social justice.

[[Page H2078]]

  The Archdiocese of Lousiville also operates Catholic Charities of 
Louisville which offers countless services to people of all religious, 
ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds throughout our community. The 
efforts of Catholic Charities can be seen in every corner of 
Louisville, giving hope to disadvantaged youth, assisting the elderly, 
lending support to those who need help to stand on their own, and 
revitalizing neighborhoods that have fallen into disarray.
  We also have the Archdiocese to thank for one of the truly 
outstanding parochial school systems in the Nation. For more than a 
century, and through every stage of a young person's development, 
Louisville's Catholic schools have helped to foster generations of 
great citizens, role models and leaders.
  During my tenure representing Louisville in Congress, I have had the 
pleasure of serving alongside two Archbishops. Archbishop Thomas Kelly 
retired this past year after a quarter century defined by interfaith 
outreach, multi-cultural ministry, and a commitment to social services. 
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz now leads the Archdiocese, and in his first 
year, he has shown the leadership abilities and initiative to build 
upon the incredible foundation already in place in Louisville.
  The theme for this year's bicentennial is ``Serving God's People: 
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.'' It is a fitting tribute to an 
institution that has always done and continues to do exactly that: 
Serve all of the people of the Louisville area through acts of faith, 
peace and kindness.
  Extraordinary is nothing new for the Archdiocese of Louisville. Still 
an Apostolic visit to the United States from His Holiness Pope Benedict 
XVI to mark the bicentennial is a recognition that will be forever 
treasured by our community. I join my colleagues in thanking and 
welcoming His Holiness to the United States of America, and know they 
join me in honoring the Archdiocese of Louisville on its bicentennial 
and thanking our Catholic community for two centuries of faith and 
service.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) who is the 
author of this resolution.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank Chairman 
Berman, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, and all of the members of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  You know, I remember back when I was growing up there was a movie, 
and the movie was called ``A Hard Day's Night.'' This was at the height 
of Beatlemania, and the Beatles had obviously been wildly popular and 
well-received when they first hit our shores. And yet in the movie 
there is a scene where a reporter, seemingly unaware of this, asked 
John Lennon a question. And the question was this: ``How did you find 
America?''
  And Lennon said, ``I turned left at Greenland.''
  The point I bring this up for is quite simple. Today we hear many 
inane questions about how His Holiness will be received by the American 
people. How will America find the Pope? How will the Pope find America? 
Well, I think these questions are inane for a very simple reason: The 
United States understands the Holy Father because he advocates that we 
use faith and reason to find our way through these trying times and on 
to a transcendent Creator.
  The United States, our revolutionary experiment in human freedom, was 
founded upon faith and reason. The Founders had the faith that they 
were playing a role in divine provenance, that they had rights that 
were endowed to them and inalienable by a Creator. And yet it was not 
passion alone that allowed for the founding of our free republic; they 
also used their reason to find their way to express how those rights 
could be guaranteed against government, and how individual citizens 
could live together with their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit 
of happiness.
  This is no different than the message that the Holy Father brings 
today. The Holy Father has said that faith and reason are concomitant 
blessings from God which allow us to find him not only in ourselves but 
in each other.
  So as Americans await the Pope's first visit, I am not saying that 
there will be teenyboppers dropping in the streets as the popemobile 
passes, but I do say His Holiness will receive a warm reception from 
people who have understood and who continue to understand that faith 
and reason are gifts from God we squander at our own peril.
  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 838, 
welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his first apostolic visit 
to the United States. For centuries, Popes have provided inspiration 
and a strong foundation of faith for millions of Catholics around the 
world and many non-Catholics as well. As spiritual leader of the Roman 
Catholic Church, the Pope serves as the impassioned defender of 
Catholic doctrine and values, a role this Pope has taken to new 
heights.
  On April 19, 2005, Catholics everywhere were introduced to Pope 
Benedict XVI, and in just 3 years, the Pope has emerged as a vocal and 
effective advocate, combating what many see as the world's sloping 
trend towards secularism. Rather than steering the Catholic Church 
towards a more moderate and relaxed approach to worship, Pope Benedict 
XVI has demonstrated the benefit and need of returning to fundamental 
Christian values. Certainly, it is not easy for a leader to take such a 
bold stand that bucks popular trends and culture, but it is an example 
of pure conviction and true leadership that inspires millions of 
Catholic believers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to America as 
he continues to spread his message of faith, love, and service in 
Christ. Millions are inspired by his presence; and his passionate 
convictions cast a light that all Catholics strive to follow. Your 
Holiness, it is my honor to join in welcoming you to the United States.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 838, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________