[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3105-S3106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            WELCOMING POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 519.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 519) welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to 
     the United States and recognizing the unique insights his 
     moral and spiritual reflections bring to the world stage.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 519) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 519

       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI will travel to the United States 
     for his first pastoral visit as Pope and will visit 
     Washington, DC, and New York;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI was elected as the 265th Bishop 
     of Rome on April 19, 2005, succeeding the much beloved Pope 
     John Paul II;
       Whereas the visit of Pope Benedict XVI will mark the 9th 
     visit of a pope to the United States, recognizing the 
     historical importance of the Catholic Church in American

[[Page S3106]]

     life, the deep faith and charity of its members, and the 
     responsibilities of the United States in world affairs;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has spoken approvingly of the 
     vibrance of religious faith in the United States, a faith 
     nourished by a constitutional commitment to religious 
     liberty;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI remains committed to ecumenical 
     dialogue and, during his trip to the United States, will meet 
     with leaders of world religions and representatives of other 
     Christian denominations and will visit a synagogue in New 
     York City, all demonstrating his commitment to sincere 
     dialogue and unity among all members of the human family;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has authored 2 encyclical letters 
     inviting the world to meditate on the virtues of love and 
     hope, ``Deus caritas est'' and ``Spe salvi'';
       Whereas millions of Americans have discovered in Pope 
     Benedict 's words a renewed faith in the power of hope over 
     despair and love over hate;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has been a clear and courageous 
     voice for the voiceless, working tirelessly for the 
     recognition of human dignity and religious freedom across the 
     globe;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out for the weak and 
     vulnerable;
       Whereas Pope Benedict XVI seeks to advance a ``civilization 
     of love'' across our world; and
       Whereas Catholics in parishes and schools across the 
     Nation, and countless other Americans as well, eagerly await 
     the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate welcomes Pope Benedict XVI on the 
     occasion of his first pastoral visit to the United States and 
     recognizes the unique insights his moral and spiritual 
     reflections bring to the world stage.

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