(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Honors the life and work of Pope John Paul II. Expresses condolences to the people of Poland for the loss of such an inspirational figure in Poland's political transformation. Extends sympathy to Catholics around the world who looked to the Pope as Supreme Pontiff. Calls upon the people of the United States to reflect on the Pope's life during the worldwide period of remembrance following his death.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 190 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
April 6, 2005.
Whereas His Holiness Pope John Paul II was born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Wadowice,
Poland, on May 18, 1920, and on October 16, 1978, was elected the 264th
Pope of the Catholic Church, making history by becoming the first Pope
from Poland and the first non-Italian Pope in more than 400 years;
Whereas Pope John Paul II dedicated his long life to the peace and well-being of
mankind;
Whereas Pope John Paul II risked his own life by defying the Nazi forces which
occupied Poland during World War II and protecting its Jewish
population, while trying to inspire faith in the oppressed;
Whereas Pope John Paul II returned to his native Poland in June 1979, unleashing
a patriotic and religious force that would ultimately lead to the
peaceful toppling of the Communist regime in Poland;
Whereas Pope John Paul II was a unique, substantial, and historic catalyst in
the demise of Soviet communism and the emancipation of hundreds of
millions of people from totalitarian rule;
Whereas Pope John Paul II used public and private diplomacy and the power of
moral suasion to encourage world leaders to respect the inalienable
rights of the human person;
Whereas Pope John Paul II articulated the importance of individual liberty being
undergirded by a ``moral order'', embraced the poor and oppressed masses
of the world, and encouraged governments and the faithful to attend to
the needs of those who are less fortunate;
Whereas Pope John Paul II ministered to Catholic and non-Catholic alike,
providing a personal example of grace, endurance, compassion, courage,
sacrifice, and foresight;
Whereas Pope John Paul II was an articulate and outspoken advocate for religious
freedom and Christian humanism, asserting that the Catholic Church could
not claim religious liberty for itself unless it was willing to concede
it to others;
Whereas Pope John Paul II sought to heal divisions between the Catholic Church
and other Christian faiths, expressing sadness and regret for the acts
of individual past and present Catholics who persecuted others on
account of their faith, and promoting reconciliation through dialogue
with Jews and Muslims and through visits to areas of historic conflict,
including Ireland and the Holy Land;
Whereas Pope John Paul II traveled more extensively than any other Pope,
traversing nearly three-quarters of a million miles, visiting more than
125 countries, being seen by more people than any person in human
history, and ministering to more than six million people at once in the
closing mass of World Youth Day 1995 in the Philippines;
Whereas on January 8, 2001, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, J.
Dennis Hastert, presented Pope John Paul II with the Congressional Gold
Medal, the highest award that Congress can bestow upon any individual;
Whereas in November 2003 the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously
agreed to House Concurrent Resolution 313, which called upon the
President, on behalf of the United States, to present the Presidential
Medal of Freedom to Pope John Paul II;
Whereas on June 4, 2004, President George W. Bush traveled to the Vatican and
presented Pope John Paul II with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the
highest civilian award of the United States Government;
Whereas, even as Pope John Paul II struggled to regain his physical strength
after suffering failings in his physical condition in early 2005, he
continued to minister to the faithful, while suffering with grace and in
silence; and
Whereas up until the moment of his death on April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II
remained faithful and principled, inspiring a continuing defense of the
unique dignity of every human life: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) has learned with profound sorrow of the death of His Holiness
Pope John Paul II;
(2) expresses gratitude for the life of Pope John Paul II and the
innumerable blessings manifested through his service;
(3) commends the life's work of Pope John Paul II, recognizing his
enduring and historic contributions to the causes of freedom, human
dignity, and peace in the world;
(4) expresses condolences to the people of Poland for the loss of
such an inspirational figure in Poland's transformation from a
totalitarian regime to democratic government;
(5) extends its heartfelt sympathy to the more than one billion
Catholics around the world, including more than sixty-six million
Catholics in the United States, who looked to Pope John Paul II as
Supreme Pontiff; and
(6) calls upon the people of the United States to reflect on the
life of Pope John Paul II during the worldwide period of remembrance
following his death.
Sec. 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit an enrolled
copy of this resolution to the Secretary of State with a request that the
Secretary transmit it to the Papal Secretary of State at the Vatican.
Attest:
Clerk.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Consideration initiated pursuant to a previous order.
Considered pursuant to a previous order. (consideration: CR H1807-1821)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 190.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 415 - 0 (Roll no. 94).(text: CR H1807-1808)
Roll Call #94 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 415 - 0 (Roll no. 94). (text: CR H1807-1808)
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