[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8870-8876]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             POPE JOHN PAUL II CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3544) to authorize a gold medal to be awarded on behalf of the 
Congress to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring 
contributions to peace and religious understanding, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3544

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Pope John Paul II 
     Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that Pope John Paul II--
       (1) is the spiritual leader of more than one billion 
     Catholic Christians around the world and millions of Catholic 
     Christians in America and has led the Catholic Church into 
     its third millennium;
       (2) is recognized in the United States and abroad as a 
     preeminent moral authority;
       (3) has dedicated his Pontificate to the freedom and 
     dignity of every individual human being and tirelessly 
     traveled to the far reaches of the globe as an exemplar of 
     faith;
       (4) has brought hope to millions of people all over the 
     world oppressed by poverty, hunger, illness, and despair;
       (5) transcending temporal politics, has used his moral 
     authority to hasten the fall of godless totalitarian regimes, 
     symbolized in the collapse of the Berlin wall;
       (6) has promoted the inner peace of man as well as peace 
     among mankind through his faith-
     inspired defense of justice; and
       (7) has thrown open the doors of the Catholic Church, 
     reconciling differences within Christendom as well as 
     reaching out to the world's other great religions.

     SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on 
     behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design 
     to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring 
     contributions to peace and religious understanding.

[[Page 8871]]

       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
     emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
     Secretary.

     SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such 
     regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, and at a price 
     sufficient to cover the costs thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the 
     cost of the gold medal.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals 
     for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby 
     authorized to be charged against the Numismatic Public 
     Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for 
     the cost of the medal authorized by this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sales of 
     duplicate bronze medals under section 4 shall be deposited in 
     the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on rare occasions Congress awards the Congressional Gold 
Medal to persons who have contributed significantly to making the world 
more humane. This bill authorizes that such a medal be struck for the 
Pope.
  John Paul II's dedication of his Pontificate to the freedom and 
dignity of every individual human being, his use of moral authority to 
hasten the fall of totalitarian regimes, his efforts to reconcile 
Christendom and reach out with respect to people of all faiths, and 
most of all his commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ provide a 
model of grace to all peoples of the world.
  In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul wrote, ``I 
have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for 
the sake of the gospel, so that I too may share in it.''
  Last Thursday, John Paul II celebrated his 80th birthday, and Saint 
Paul's observation is an appropriate summary of Karol Wojtyla's 
extraordinary trajectory on this earth, from the small town of his 
birth in Southern Poland, Wadowice, through the war years in Cracow, 
leadership of Cracow's Archdiocese during the difficult Communist 
times, finally to the Ministry of Peter in Rome. In this journey, he 
has left an indelible mark on his Church and the history of our times.
  With the world watching, John Paul II has begun to show burdens of 
age, but he has lost none of the extraordinary vigor that has 
characterized the 21\1/2\ years of his Pontificate, one of the longest 
in church history.
  On New Year's eve, for instance, he celebrated a long, formal Te Deum 
in Saint Peter's basilica, had dinner in his quarters with Vatican 
aides and friends, after which they all sang carols. At midnight, he 
appeared in his window and delivered his traditional New Year's 
greeting to an adoring crowd in Saint Peter's Square below. Then he 
celebrated yet another mass, his first of the new millennium, in his 
private chapel. His staff was exhausted, but by 9 the next morning he 
was in another basilica in Rome leading another mass.
  From the moment he became a priest in Cracow, Karol Wojtyla has 
conceived his role as a pastor, a representative of Christ on Earth who 
has to be seen by the faithful. Since he became Pope in October of 
1978, he has made 92 pastoral trips abroad to 123 countries and 
territories, meeting more leaders and bringing the message of God to 
more people than any other Pontiff before him.
  This year alone, he has been to Mount Sinai in Egypt, followed in 
Christ's footsteps in the Holy Land, and prayed at the Shrine of the 
Virgin Mary in Fatima, who he believes interceded to save his life when 
he was shot in Saint Peter's Square in 1981.
  As a leader of a billion members of his faith, John Paul II is 
generally considered the preeminent religious leader in the world. But 
his moral authority goes beyond his church. It extends to all who seek 
a message of love and compassion, of dignity that defies materialism, 
of freedom of thought unconstrained by political oppression.
  Above all, he has urged people all over the world never to give up 
hope. He likes to recall that his first words in Saint Peter's Square 
were an echo of Christ's exhortation, ``Be not afraid.'' Wherever he 
has traveled, John Paul II has championed human rights and individual 
dignity, both of which, in his view, include freedom of worship. With 
this definition of liberty, he turned the Church in his native Poland 
into a protector, not only of Catholics but of all citizens oppressed 
by communism, no matter their religion, if any. In so doing, he helped 
discredit the Communist system in Poland and bring about its downfall 
elsewhere in the world.
  It used to be said in Poland that while he was the Archbishop of 
Cracow, the country's Communist leaders considered him their greatest 
threat. Likewise, in Moscow, once he became Pope. It is no accident 
that China's leaders have so far refused to allow him to conduct a 
pilgrimage in their country.
  In traveling the world, John Paul II has reached out to the other 
great religions. Last month, he sought to bridge the historic divide 
between Christians and Jews. In a gesture of breathtaking eloquence in 
its simplicity, he placed a sheet of paper in a crack in Jerusalem's 
Western Wall: ``God of our fathers,'' he wrote, ``we are deeply 
saddened by the behavior of those who, in the course of history, have 
caused these children of yours to suffer; and asking your forgiveness, 
we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of 
the covenant.''
  To exemplify his personal compassion, an elderly Israeli woman came 
forth during this historic pilgrimage. She recalled how she was one of 
the lucky ones who survived Hitler's concentration camps. Upon her 
release in 1945, she was placed on a train to return to her home in 
Cracow. When she arrived, barely able to stand, with hardly any flesh 
on her bones, she stumbled onto the station platform, and there a 
strong young man in priestly garb picked her up in his arms and carried 
her two miles to a place where she could be nurtured back to health. 
The priest was Karol Wojtyla.

                              {time}  1145

  In times singularly bereft of leaders of high moral stature, John 
Paul II stands out, a Pontiff whose presence fills the great basilica 
of Saint Peter and radiates out beyond. In voting for this 
Congressional Gold Medal, we are honoring a historic figure, an 
individual whose conviction and morality have infused mankind with 
renewed self-confidence.
  In closing, I would like to quote these words by John Paul II that I 
think express his soaring nobility:
  ``At the end of the second millennium, we need perhaps more than ever 
the words of the risen Christ: `Be not afraid!' Man who, after 
Communism, has stopped being afraid and who truly has many reasons for 
feeling this way, needs to hear these words. Nations need to hear them, 
especially those nations that have been reborn after the fall of the 
Communist empire, as well as those who witnessed the event from 
outside. Peoples and nations of the entire world need to hear these 
words. Their conscience needs to grow on the certainty that Someone 
exists who holds in his Hands the key to death and the netherworld, 
Someone who is the Alpha and the Omega of human history, be it the 
individual or collective history. And this Someone is Love, Love that 
became man, Love crucified and risen, Love unceasingly present among 
men. It is Eucharistic Love. It is the infinite source of communion. He 
alone can give the ultimate assurance when He says `Be not afraid!' ''
  Mr. Speaker, John Paul II has sundered depotism and ennobled faith by 
displaying to fellow mortals the courage of conviction.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page 8872]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3544, and I associate myself 
with the eloquent remarks of our distinguished chairman, the gentleman 
from Iowa (Mr. Leach), with regard to the awarding of a Congressional 
Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I, of course, as I said, rise in support of 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would point out that Pope John Paul II chose his name 
from his two predecessors that reigned very briefly, Pope John Paul 
XXIII and Pope Paul VI. He has, of course, for the past 2 decades been 
the leader of a billion Catholics in the world, including myself. We 
are very proud of the work that he has done and the tremendous 
contributions he has made over the past 2 decades as we have seen the 
startling changes occur around the globe. He has been instrumental in 
his role in terms of leadership, positive leadership.
  I have had the privilege when visiting in Rome with other Members of 
Congress to have audiences with the Pope, as so many of my colleagues 
have, and I am sure that they have been as impressed as I have been by 
his breadth of vision and leadership and the charge that he admonished 
us with with regards to our responsibility as elected officials, as 
well as, of course, our responsibility as citizens of the world.
  He has certainly exemplified that role in his much-traveled work, his 
wonderful solidarity in spirit from his native Poland, one the first 
non-Italian popes to have served in a long time. And, of course, being 
an Italian-American, I'm very keenly aware of that ancestry and the 
special role that he had played.
  But to observe and to witness the types of changes that have occurred 
in central Europe under the guidance and under his leadership and his 
contributions has really been a joy for all of us to behold.
  I might point out that, while much traveled, he has obviously been a 
pioneer. His visit most recently I think in the last few years to Cuba, 
as an example, pointed out that he is a great risk-taker in terms of 
being willing to travel and to try and challenge the various governance 
and human rights questions around the world. And in our hemisphere, as 
well as in others, in Africa, his encyclicals with regards to social 
and economic justice, as well as with regards to life, have been of 
much use as we have tried to look for guidance and look for the finest 
values of our society and of humanity and spirituality.
  So I strongly rise in support of this measure. I commend the chairman 
and the sponsors. I have been pleased to join as sponsor myself in this 
measure. I urge my colleagues to strongly support this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a detailed statement of our 
ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), and a 
statement by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski) of the 
Committee on Banking, both of whom admire and strongly support this 
resolution. They have been called to the White House on a meeting. But 
for that, they would surely be here in honor to make this presentation 
by our side.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor a man 
whose enduring contributions to humanity will forever be etched in 
history: His Excellency, Pope John Paul II. As a spiritual leader of 1 
billion Catholic Christians all over the world (millions of them in the 
United States), and an inspiring force for peace to people of all 
faiths, it is only fitting that we pay tribute to the Holy Father's 
remarkable contributions to humanity. Pope John Paul II has touched the 
lives of many and continues to be a powerful and enduring force in 
fostering peace among nations, and in reconciling the three great 
religious faiths of the children of Abraham: Christianity, Judaism, and 
Islam. I am honored to stand before this House today, joining Catholics 
from my district, the U.S., the rest of the world, and people of all 
faiths, in recognizing this remarkable man's monumental contributions 
to humanity.
  Karol Joseph Wojtyla was born 80 years ago in an industrial town near 
Cracow in Poland. In fact, the Holy Father just celebrated his 80th 
birthday this past Thursday, May 18th, during which he celebrated Mass, 
ate lobster with senior clergy in the Vatican, and sang songs with 
Polish compatriots. As a teenager during the Second World War, Karol 
Wojtyla experienced, first-hand, the horrors of Nazism, the Holocaust, 
and soon thereafter, Communist totalitarianism. ``I have carried with 
me the history, culture, experience and language of Poland,'' said the 
Pope once. ``Having lived in a country that had to fight for its 
existence in the face of the aggressions of its neighbors, I have 
understood what exploitation is. I put myself immediately on the side 
of the poor, the disinherited, the oppressed, the marginalized and the 
defenseless,'' said the Pope.
  After considering a career as an actor, and even petitioning three 
times to become a Catholic monk, he was persuaded by the then-
Archbishop of Cracow--who recognized his charisma, oratorical talents, 
and potential to help people directly--to pursue the priesthood. He was 
ordained as a Catholic priest in 1946, became Archbishop of Cracow in 
1958, Cardinal in 1967, and was elected Pope by the Vatican's college 
of Cardinals in 1978 at the age of 58--the first non-Italian Pope since 
1522.
  The Holy Pontiff, by his own description, is a moral leader who 
believes in the sanctity of the human being. Over the years, he has 
denounced the excesses, and affronts to human dignity, of the two major 
competing social systems of the 20th century, communism and capitalism. 
He has condemned the atheistic and dehumanizing forces of Communism, 
which he experienced in Poland. And he has denounced the more unsavory 
aspects of modern capitalism, such as greed, abject poverty, 
selfishness, and secular atheism. According to his spokesman, the Holy 
Pontiff's goal is to establish a mode of Christian thinking to serve as 
a meaningful alternative to the humanist philosophies of the 20th 
century, such as Marxism and post-Modernism. His moral philosophy, and 
its impact on world affairs, earned him the honor of Time magazine Man 
of the Year of 1994, which described him as ``The most tireless moral 
voice of a secular age.''
  Pope John Paul II's moral philosophy has brought much needed 
attention to the plight of the world's poor. In this vein, the Pope has 
called for substantial reduction or outright cancellation of the 
international debt that seriously threatens the future of many of the 
poorest nations. Inspired in part by the Pope's example, we are proud 
to have contributed to the enactment of international debt relief 
legislation last year, which was facilitated by the Jubilee 2000 
Movement--through which the Holy Father has nurtured meaningful 
ecumenical cooperation.
  Pope John Paul II has already left us a substantial body of written 
work that will nourish future generations with the wisdom and 
benevolence of this moral philosophy. In fact, his writings fill nearly 
150 volumes. Through his encyclicals, homilies, letters, and other 
writings, this ``Pope of Letters'' has inspired the world to embrace 
universal principles of human dignity and human rights. In 1994, his 
popular volume of philosophical and moral ruminations, Crossing the 
Threshold of Hope, became an immediate best-seller in 12 countries.
  The most traveled Pope in history, Pope John Paul II has brought his 
message of peace and reconciliation to 117 countries. In his most 
recent visit to Israel, for example, the Holy Father prayed at the 
Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites. His prayer, an 
unprecedented act of contrition on behalf of Catholic Christians, read 
as follows: ``We are deeply saddened by the behavior of those who in 
the course of history have caused these children of Yours to suffer 
and, asking Your forgiveness, we wish to commit ourselves to genuine 
brotherhood with the people of the Covenant.'' And how can we forget 
his groundbreaking trip to Cuba in 1998? On that papal visit, he 
condemned the dehumanizing and immoral aspects of both Cuban communism 
and the outdated--and senseless--U.S. trade embargo. As customary, his 
words echoed in the farthest corners of the world.
  Pope John Paul II understands one of the most fundamental Christian 
principles that has become a hallmark for fostering reconciliation: 
forgiveness. In one of the most remarkable acts of forgiveness ever 
witnessed publicly, the Holy Father confronted the man that attempted 
to assassinate him and forgave him for his grave sin.
  The Holy Father's acts of compassion stem from his inherently 
benevolent nature. His compassion, charisma and moral authority are 
celebrated by leaders of other faiths. For instance, the Dalai Lama, 
the spiritual leader of the world's Buddhists, has said of the Pope: 
``He really has a will and a determination to help humanity through 
spirituality. That is marvelous. That is good. I know how difficult it 
is for leaders on these issues.'' Rev. Billy Graham, a spiritual 
adviser to many U.S.

[[Page 8873]]

presidents, has also said about the Pope: ``He'll go down in history as 
the greatest of our modern Popes. He's been the strong conscience of 
the whole Christian world.''
  Mr. Speaker, when Pope John Paul speaks, whether to those gathered at 
St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, or in a Mass delivered in the 
backwaters of Cuba, the world listens. The world listens because he is 
the most powerful moral force in our lifetimes, an apostle for social 
justice, a champion of the poor, and a harbinger of peace. I urge the 
Congress to move swiftly on this legislation, so that we can bestow 
this well deserved gold medal to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, at the 
dawn of the New Millennium and the Jubilee 2000 celebration.
  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for 
H.R. 3544, the Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. I am a 
cosponsor of this notable legislation that would award Pope John Paul 
II with a gold medal in recognition of his many powerful and enduring 
contributions to international peace and religious understanding. This 
bill is also necessary to honor a man who has served not only as a 
spiritual leader to Catholic Christians in the United States and around 
the World, but also as a political champion for human rights.
  In the more than 20 years of his papacy, John Paul II has been an 
exemplar of the power of faith against the forces of intolerance and 
corruption. His support of the Solidarity trade union in his native 
Poland in the early 1980s, combined with his unwavering support of 
Catholics living in the former Soviet Bloc nations and his steadfast 
opposition to the communist regimes suppressing their beliefs, 
contributed immeasurably to the eventual collapse of those oppressive 
systems.
  Pope John Paul II has additionally been a tireless worker for 
international peace, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles in order 
to share his spiritual messages with millions of individuals like 
myself. In October 1995, during his visit to the United States and the 
United Nations, I had the opportunity to meet with the Pope John Paul 
II and learn firsthand more about his good work.
  The Pope's effort have also proven instrumental in virtually all of 
the World's major conflicts of the past two decades. He brought his 
message to Central America in the 1980's during its period of 
revolution and bloodshed. He spread his message to fight apartheid in 
South Africa, tribal war in Central Africa, and genocide in the 
Balkans. In an effort to relieve them of their pain, he has traveled to 
these places to show them he shares in their loss and despair. Most 
recently, Pope John Paul II served as counsel in bringing together 
Israelis and Palestinians in a non-denominational effort to cease the 
brutal conflict that has plagued these two peoples for far too long.
  This legislation is appropriate in light of the fact that many 
entities around the world that have similarly honored the Pope. From 
being designed as the Time Magazine's ``Man of the Year'' in 1994 to 
serving as the namesake of a Catholic grade school in my hometown of 
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, Pope John Paul II has received many honors. I 
coincidentally have the good fortune of being visited today by 28 
students in the graduating 8th Grade class at Pope John Paul II School. 
I am therefore very pleased that we are at this time taking up this 
legislation to honor the great man for whom their institution is named.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his 80th birthday and his 
leading the Catholic Church into its Third Millennium, we should 
acknowledge the important accomplishments Pope John Paul II has made to 
our World during his lifetime. I encourage all Members of the House to 
support this bill.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my good friend, the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Vento), for his thoughtful observations.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished friend, the 
gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman).
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise; and it is an honor and privilege 
to associate myself with the legislation offered by the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Leach), which honors one of the most remarkable individuals 
alive today, who is also one of most influential persons in all of 
world history.
  His Holiness Pope John Paul II celebrated his 80th birthday just last 
week. The entire world expressed fellowship and congratulations upon 
his reaching this milestone. It is an appropriate time, therefore, to 
pay tribute to him by this measure.
  The minting of a gold medal in his honor is a timely way that we in 
the Congress, on behalf of all of the people in our Nation, can thank 
this saintly man for his guidance and inspiration throughout the years. 
His pontificate was the longest of the 20th century and is a beacon of 
leadership as we begin the 21st century.
  His Holiness was born in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920, just a short time 
after his homeland gained its long-sought independence.
  Karol Joseph Wojtyla, as he was known then, suffered under the Nazi 
occupation of his nation, as did all of his generation. He was active 
in an underground organization which helped Jewish people seek refuge 
from the Nazis. It was his actions at that time, what he observed and 
what he learned during World War II, that inspired him to enter the 
priesthood. He was ordained on November 1, 1946 and, in October 1978, 
was elected the first non-Italian Pope since 1522, taking the name John 
Paul II to honor his three immediate predecessors.
  In 1981, His Holiness was a victim of a dastardly assassination 
attempt. Although he was hospitalized for 2\1/2\ months, his steely 
courage, coupled with his splendid physical condition honed by a 
lifetime of athletics, allowed his full recovery.
  Throughout the past 22 years, Pope John Paul II has been an 
inspiration to all of us and is universally beloved.
  Mr. Speaker, the coinage of a gold medal in Pope John Paul's memory 
is an appropriate way to begin this new century. I strongly urge our 
colleagues to fully support this measure.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I wanted to mention that my colleague, the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski), was hoping, as I said, to be here to 
speak in support of the bill and was unexpectedly summoned to the White 
House, as I indicated. If he had been here, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski) would have mentioned that Pope John Paul 
II is the namesake of a Catholic grade school in his hometown of 
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.
  Coincidentally, he has the good fortune of being visited today by 28 
students in the graduating 8th grade class at Pope John Paul II School, 
who may have been here earlier but may have had to leave.
  In any case, I wanted to mention that.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa 
(Mr. Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to stand here to 
extend my warmest congratulations and expression of appreciation to the 
chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), for his 
leadership in bringing this important legislation before our colleagues 
for their approval.
  I also want to thank our ranking member, the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. LaFalce), and our good friend, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Vento), for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only appropriate that we honor one of the greatest 
spiritual giants of the world today, Pope John Paul II but not only 
because he is a spiritual leader to some one billion Catholics around 
the world but also for the fact that he stands as an example of a great 
Christian in teaching spiritual values which cut through political 
ideology, which is something that I have always admired about this 
great Christian leader of the world.
  Mr. Speaker, long before he became the Bishop of Rome, Pope John Paul 
II was known as Karol Jozef Wojtyla, a young boy from Poland. According 
to biography, Wojtyla's childhood was not happy. By the age of twelve, 
he had lost his mother, brother and sister. Before he was ordained to 
the priesthood, he lost his father. In the interim, World War II 
ravaged Europe. When the Germans began rounding up Polish men, Wojtyla 
took refuge in the archbishop of Krakow's residence. He remained there 
until the end of the war.
  In 1946, Wojtyla was ordained to the priesthood. He earned two 
master's degrees and a doctorate. In 1978, the Sacred College of 
Cardinals chose Wojtyla as the next pope after the death of John Paul 
I.
  Mr. Speaker, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to visit a 
synagogue and the first to

[[Page 8874]]

visit the Holocaust memorial at Auschwitz. According to one report, in 
ending the Catholic-Jewish estrangement, he calls Jews ``our elder 
brothers.''
  I would like to offer even a little gesture to our majority 
leadership by extending an invitation to Pope John Paul II to have a 
joint session of the Congress and have this great leader address us, 
because I think we all need his guidance and certainly some of the 
examples that he will share with us, and perhaps a few words or a 
sentence can be added into this resolution to extend that invitation to 
Pope John Paul II to address this great body and to our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my good friend, the chairman of 
the committee, for his leadership in bringing this legislation. I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), who has been one of our leaders on 
the debt relief program championed by the Jubilee 2000, which is, of 
course, one of the major initiatives of Pope John Paul II.
  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the kind words of the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Vento).
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the 
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega). The people of Alabama 
and the people of American Samoa both share a love for Pope John Paul 
II.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill introduced by my good 
friend, the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Leach), to award the 
Congressional Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II.
  Pope John Paul II was born in Poland on May 18, 1920, and is said to 
be the most recognized person in the world. He is by far the most 
traveled Pope in the 2000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church, 
having visited almost every continent and country where he personally 
addressed tens of millions of people on almost each visit.
  Pope John Paul II is one of the most important statesmen, diplomats, 
and political figures of our time. But he is far more. He is a great 
pastor, evangelist, and witness of Christianity. As spiritual leader to 
the world's one billion Catholics, the Pope has commenced a great 
dialogue with modern culture that transcends the boundaries of 
political or economic ideologies that has dominated the world since the 
beginnings of modernity in the 1700s.
  He is one of the most prolific writers in this century. His writings 
have made great contributions in the area of theology, philosophy, 
sociology, politics, culture, and science. Having witnessed firsthand 
the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and Communist regimes, the Pope 
understands the true dignity of each human being. He has heroically 
opposed the offences against human dignity that have tragically marked 
the 20th century.
  As much as any single person of this century, John Paul II has worked 
to protect the rights of each individual and to promote respect and 
understanding between cultures, nations, and peoples.
  To truly find world peace, the Pope encourages all people to answer 
the most important question we face: What is the ultimate truth about 
man and his relationship to God?
  As part of his pastoral work, the Pope has consistently identified 
the moral challenges facing free societies and the importance of 
resolving those challenges. The Pope has tirelessly preached against 
the dangers of unreasonable and unfettered license that pays no respect 
to the dignity of each person. His prophetic voice in the defense of 
the unborn, the aged, and the marginalized is well known. His defense 
of the dignity of all persons serves as a guideline for all Americans 
on how to treat each other with respect, based not on mere sentiment 
but on the deep and true respect for the image of God in each person.

                              {time}  1200

  His ability to harmonize faith and reason sheds light on difficult 
public and ethical issues that plague modern society. John Paul's 
pastoral leadership gives hope and courage for millions of Catholics 
and countless others in America who struggle to sanctify their lives in 
the midst of the modern secular world.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, there is no question the Pope has been a 
beacon of light and witness to hope for countless millions. It is only 
appropriate to recognize these accomplishments and to show our 
appreciation by awarding him the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to belatedly wish the Pontiff a happy birthday. His 80th 
birthday was last week. This is an appropriate way for us to recognize 
that as well. We hope he has many more.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today we honor Pope John Paul 
II, who in his 20 years as leader of the Catholic Church has become 
pastor to the world, boldly proclaiming the Gospel--the Good News of 
Jesus Christ--and its message of love, hope, and reconciliation. The 
Holy Father walks the path to peace that surpasses understanding, the 
road that leads to Heaven. How appropriate it is that we honor him with 
a Congressional Gold Medal, as he just celebrated his eightieth 
birthday last week. Even after eight decades of doing the Lord's work 
here on earth, the Pope's charisma and steadfast faith shine brightly, 
giving hope to millions of people of all faiths.
  During his pontificate the Holy Father has made an astonishing 176 
visits to 117 different countries, he speaks some eight languages, and 
has written 13 incisive encyclicals. He is truly a world leader, and an 
unparalleled champion of those who cannot speak for themselves: the 
poor, the unborn, those condemned to death, and those whose basic 
rights as children of God are trampled upon by oppressive regimes. He 
waged an unrelenting crusade against the forces of atheistic Communism, 
and continues to preach the message of life, hope, and love amid the 
oppressive tide of the culture of death. Pope John Paul II's encyclical 
``The Gospel of Life'' (Evangelium vitae) reminds all of us--especially 
those in public service--that the gift of human life is so precious, so 
full of dignity, that it must remain inviolable and be defended against 
all manner of violence.
  The Pope writes in that important document that:

       This is what is happening also at the level of politics and 
     government: the original and inalienable right to life is 
     questioned or denied on the basis of a parliamentary vote or 
     the will of one part of the people--even if it is the 
     majority. This is the sinister result of a relativism which 
     reigns unopposed: the ``right'' ceases to be such, because it 
     is no longer firmly founded on the inviolable dignity of the 
     person, but is made subject to the will of the stronger part.

  And elsewhere in Evangelium vitae Pope John Paul II states in 
unambiguous terms:

       Abortion and euthanasia are thus crimes which no human law 
     can claim to legitimize. There is no obligation in conscience 
     to obey such laws; instead there is a grave and clear 
     obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection . . . In 
     the case of intrinsically unjust law, such as a law 
     permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never 
     licit to obey it, or to ``take part in a propaganda campaign 
     in favor of such a law, or vote for it.''

  In the Kingdom of God, that civilization of life which John Paul II 
has so fervently sought to build, there is no place for the systematic 
killing of unborn children.
  My family and I have had the awesome privilege of meeting the Holy 
Father: in Newark, New Jersey, in the crowd in 1979 at New York's Shea 
Stadium, and most recently in Guatemala. I have personally witnessed 
and been inspired on numerous occasions by his power that comes from 
being so rooted in God, and so devoted to the service of others. Pope 
John Paul II is truly the Vicar of Christ on earth, a man who has, and 
continues, to faithfully and courageously walk in the shoes of the 
Fisherman, Peter.
  It is said that the Holy Father has had no personal bank account 
since being ordained a priest over 50 years ago. He has truly stored up 
treasure in heaven, and we are all better people for his untiring work 
here on earth.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
legislation, H.R. 3544, that would provide a Congressional Gold Medal, 
on behalf of Congress, to Pope John Paul II. As a cosponsor of this 
legislation and a member of the House Banking Committee, I believe that 
this Congressional medal would be an appropriate honor for Pope John 
Paul II who has served as the leader of the Catholic Church since 1978.
  In order to be fiscally prudent, this legislation also includes a 
provision stipulating that the cost of this medal should come from the

[[Page 8875]]

Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund and cannot exceed $30,000. In 
addition, this legislation authorizes the sale of duplicate coins to be 
deposited into the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to repay it for 
this donation.
  On May 18, 2000, the Holy Father celebrated his 80th birthday. This 
Congressional Medal will help ensure that Pope John Paul II receives 
recognition for the public service that he has provided to all 
Catholics around the world. From his boyhood home of Krakow, Poland, 
Pope John Paul II has never forgotten his roots. As a young man during 
World War II, he witnessed the deportation of tens of thousands of 
Polish Jews and Christians to Nazi death camps. This experience made an 
indelible impression on the man who would become Pope John Paul II. 
Just this year, in his first trip to the Holy Land, he eloquently 
addressed survivors of the Holocaust. At Israel's Holocaust memorial, 
Yad Vashem, Pope John Paul II assured the Jewish people that the 
Catholic Church is deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution 
and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians 
at any time and in any place.
  Pope John Paul II has made great contributions to mankind. For 
example, this year the Holy Father lead an effort to reduce the poverty 
among the poor by calling for the reduction or outright cancellation of 
the international debt that is burdening the world's poorest nations as 
part of the Jubilee 2000 project. I am pleased that Congress, with my 
support, included this international debt relief legislation in last 
year's omnibus appropriations bill. This law will ensure that the 
world's poorest nations have much of their debt forgiven and instead 
invest their scarce funds to rebuild domestic health and education 
programs.
  Pope John Paul II should also be recognized for his written works 
that inspire the world to embrace universal principles of human dignity 
and human rights. Some of his famous works include ``Notificationes,'' 
published in 1971. In 1981, he published the Encyclical Letter, Laborem 
Exercens on Human Work. In 1982, he published the Apostolic Letter, 
Caritatis Christi about the role of the church in China. In 1984, he 
published the Apostolic Letter, Salvific Doloris on the Christian 
Meaning of Human suffering.
  Pope John Paul II worked tirelessly with the Solidarity movement in 
Poland to oppose communism. In 1980 and 1981 he met with Lech Walesa of 
the Polish Independent Syndicate Solidarnosc. He also traveled to 
Poland on several occasions to encourage democracy in his birthplace. 
In 1991, he met with Lech Walesa again, as the new President of the 
Polish Republic.
  Pope John Paul II has also worked tirelessly to bring his message of 
peace and reconciliation to the world. In 1969, he visited the parish 
of Corpus Domini and made a visit to the Jewish Community and the 
Synagogue in the Kazimierz section of Krakow. He has traveled to 117 
countries to pray with Catholics around the world. He recently traveled 
to Jerusalem in Israel to the Western Wall. In 1998, he traveled to 
Cuba to celebrate mass with that nation's Catholic parishioners.
  I urge my colleagues to support this initiative to honor Pope John 
Paul II, the Holy Father, with a Congressional Gold Medal.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-sponsor and support H.R. 
3544, the Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. Over the 
years, Pope John Paul II has become one of the world's greatest moral 
and spiritual forces of all time. I admire His Holiness' efforts to 
foster peace and promote justice, freedom, and compassion throughout 
his life. In his travels around the world, Pope John Paul II has 
inspired millions of people of all faiths and races because of his 
strong desire for peace and brotherhood.
  I had an opportunity to attend a private mass with His Holiness. 
Afterwards, His Holiness remarked to me, ``Congressman, God bless 
Ronald Reagan.'' Those five words speak volumes about a collaborative 
partnership between Pope John Paul II and President Reagan to rid the 
world of the evils of Soviet communism.
  Without the help of His Holiness, America and her allies would not 
have been successful in our efforts to free the world from Soviet 
communism. Millions of citizens around the world owe Pope John Paul II 
a debt of gratitude for his valiant efforts.
  I want to thank His Holiness for his life and apostolate because he 
is a man of peace whose words for a more just society inspire us all. 
His Holiness is a deserving recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal 
because he has done so much to help our troubled world.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of awarding the 
Congressional Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II. It is difficult to talk 
briefly about a man who has done so much since being elected to succeed 
Pope John Paul I in 1978. So, let me make these few comments. Pope John 
Paul II has worked tirelessly to unite the people of different 
countries and different religions, regardless of their color or their 
politics. He did this as a youth, as a professor at Catholic University 
of Lublin, as the Archbishop of Krakow and continues to do so as the 
head of the Roman Catholic Church.
  He is said to be the most recognized man in the world. In fact he was 
named ``Man of the Year'' in Time magazine in 1994. But, that is not 
why I stand before you. I stand before you because this man has 
dedicated his life to the salvation of others.
  I still remember when he was chosen by the College of Cardinals. 
There was a great deal of discussion about him, not because he was 
selected to become the Pope, but rather because he was the first non 
Italian Pope since 1522 and because he was only 58 years old. Now, 
twenty-two years later, neither his birth place nor his age are part of 
the discussion. I think that there is a lesson for all of us in that 
fact.
  I support this award because Pope John Paul II has reached out to the 
people of this planet. He encourages fraternity and encourages people 
to live the gospel. And, in the final analysis, he has made the world a 
better place for us to live. I cannot think of a better reason for this 
body to give this or any award.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man, 
Karol Jozef Wojtyla. Now known to the world as Pope John Paul II, this 
leader of the Catholic Church has championed the cause of promoting 
human rights and eliminating poverty and hunger around the world. 
Called by some the man of the century, John Paul II has been unafraid 
to articulate his vision of a better world and has the passion and 
integrity to work toward that goal. The bottom line in the debate over 
the nature of truth and freedom, he argues, is the sanctity of all 
humans who are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with 
certain unalienable rights, including life and liberty--as written in 
our very own Declaration of Independence.
  He was also a key figure at a pivotal juncture in world history. As a 
Cardinal in Poland, he was a shrewd and unflinching opponent of 
communism, advancing the church's agenda without allowing outright 
hostility and repression to develop.
  As Pope, his support of the Solidarity movement was instrumental in 
the downfall of the government.
  Today, just over nineteen years after a would-be assassin shot him on 
May 13, 1981, we vote to award Pope John Paul II with the Congressional 
Gold Medal. I ask all Members and the world to acknowledge his faith, 
his intellect and his wonderful contributions.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
3544, the Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. As you know 
this bill would authorize a gold medal to be awarded on behalf of the 
Congress to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring 
contributions to peace and religious understanding.
  Born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland in 1920, Pope John Paul II has 
remained a leading champion of human rights around the world, and a 
strong moral leader for us all. Ordained in 1946, Pope John Paul II 
spent eight years as a professor of social ethics at the Catholic 
University of Lublin, Poland. In 1964, he was named the archbishop of 
Krakow and only three years later he was appointed cardinal by Pope 
Paul VI. As the Archbishop of Krakow, he would prove himself to be a 
noble and trustworthy pastor in the face of Communist persecution.
  On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla was elected Pope. He took the 
name of his predecessors, and became the first Polish leader of the 
Roman Catholic Church and the youngest Pope in this century. In this 
capacity--as our society has grappled with serious social questions, 
Pope John Paul II has dealt with them in such a way as to maintain a 
peaceful and fair world order. In fact, over the last 50 years, he has 
remained a dedicated servant to the world. Throughout his many travels, 
he has promoted peace, nuclear disarmament, and the conquering of world 
hunger among other things. In addition, he has remained a beacon of 
strength and hope for every world citizen he comes into contact with.
  As a result, I fully support this act and urge my colleagues to 
authorize the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of Pope John Paul II. 
God bless you and God Bless America.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor 
and strong supporter of H.R. 3544, to award a Congressional Gold Medal 
to Pope John Paul II for his outstanding leadership in promoting peace 
and understanding across the globe. Pope John Paul II is one of the 
greatest humanitarians of all time and this special award is a 
testament to his successful life's work in making the world a better 
and safer place.

[[Page 8876]]

  Pope John Paul II has been a revolutionary in the world of religion. 
He has been a spiritual leader to over one billion Catholic Christians 
around the globe. He has served as an inspiration to millions of 
American Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
  Pope John Paul II has led the charge to unify not only diverse sects 
of Christianity, but also to bridge the gaps between all respected 
religious peoples throughout the world.
  Over the years, Pope John Paul II has traveled the world as a 
``warrior of peace.'' His tireless effort to bring people together of 
different faiths has demonstrated to the rest of the world the 
wonderful possibilities of the good that can and will prevail when 
people of diverse, sometimes seemingly bipolar backgrounds begin to 
listen to one another too long.
  From the United States to developing nations, Pope John Paul II has 
traversed the globe with a message of hope and freedom as our New 
Economy's prosperity continues to beat down the plight of poverty.
  Pope John Paul II should be commended for his work in promoting 
democracy and for the demise of communism throughout Europe. Being such 
an outspoken leader in the battle of good versus evil enabled Pope John 
Paul II to play a critical role in the debate which lead to the fall of 
the Berlin Wall. Time and time again, Pope John Paul II spoke up and 
defended liberty and justice wherever totalitarian regimes have arisen.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for bringing consideration of this 
legislation to the House Floor. Pope John Paul II is a deserving 
recipient of this special award, as he has been a leader in promoting 
peace and democracy throughout the world. With that said, I am 
privileged to join my colleagues in support of awarding Pope John Paul 
II the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3544, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________