Honoring the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's ascension to the papacy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.

McCotter) for yielding me this time and for introducing this important resolution, as well as for all his work and leadership on the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join in the celebration of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, who is marking his Silver Jubilee as the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics around the world.

On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the Archbishop of Krakow, was elected Pope. This cardinal, little known outside of his native Poland, addressed a crowd of over 200,000 in St. Peter's Square that day and emotionally expressed his fears about the awesome responsibility of being chosen for such a position. He also told the world that day, ``Be not afraid.''

Twenty-five years ago tomorrow, he was installed as the Bishop of Rome and celebrated his first mass as Pope. John Paul II is the 263rd successor of St. Peter. He was the youngest Pope in over a century, the first non-Italian Pope in over 450 years, and the first Slav Pope.

This man was formed at a remarkable time in human history. He knew the persecution of oppression and witnessed the false ideologies of the 20th century. He studied for the priesthood in secrecy and lived through the Nazi occupation and Communist subjugation of his native Poland. He was a philosopher, theologian, and pastor. He was instrumental in the demise of the Communist regime in Poland and played an important role in the collapse of communism throughout central and Eastern Europe, which ended the Cold War.

The Holy Father has continued to promote freedom and peace throughout the world during his Pontificate, a freedom based on the truth of the ``transcendent dignity'' of each individual human person, the truth that every human being has a dignity that goes beyond Earthly advantages and accomplishments.

The Holy Father during his pontificate has expounded Catholic doctrine and the Magisterium of the Church, and has expanded the Second Vatican Council's engagement with modernity and modern culture. He has accounted for the Church's past, and has pushed Catholic teaching into all areas of modern life.

Perhaps most importantly for the future, the Holy Father has truly internationalized the Catholic Church. Over the past 25 years, the number of Catholics worldwide has grown from 757 million to over a billion, an increase of over 40 percent. In Africa, the number of Catholics has increased nearly 150 percent, and in Asia, over 80 percent. The Holy Father has internationalized the Roman Curia, Italians controlled half of the top 20 Vatican departments, and today they head only four, and the College of Cardinals, cardinals representing approximately 20 countries, but today represent over 60 countries. He has traveled more extensively throughout the world, more than any predecessor, visiting 129 countries, and more people have seen this one man in person than any other human being in history.

His Holiness has reached out in an unprecedented way to peoples of other beliefs and religions all over the world in an effort toward greater understanding, healing and harmony. He has particularly promoted unity among Christian churches, reconciliation with the Jewish people, and a dialogue with Islam. The Holy Father was the first Pope to visit a synagogue and the first to visit a mosque.

His Holiness with bestowed with the Congressional Gold Medal January 8, 2001.

Last week during the Silver Jubilee celebrations, Cardinal Ratzinger recalled the new Pope's first words 25 years ago. Cardinal Ratzinger was speaking to the Holy Father, ``You said then that you came from a far-away place. But we understood right away that the faith in Jesus Christ that came through your words and your person overcame all distances.'' Through the years, he continued, you have announced God's will without fear, even when it contrasts with what men think and want.''

I consider it an honor to be able to recognize Pope John Paul II on his 25th anniversary, and I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this devoted spiritual leader and to celebrate with the Holy Father this Jubilee.

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

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.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and at the outset I want to commend my distinguished colleagues, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) for their work on this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, it is right and fitting that we in Congress offer a resolution to honor the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's papacy. The Pope is a remarkable individual whose actions in the last quarter century have altered the course of world events. Polish-born Karol Jozef Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1978, a quarter century ago. After a long succession of Western Europeans at the head of the world's largest Christian denomination, he brought an extraordinary and historically unique perspective to his task. It was reflected in his first address to the people who gathered that day to see him in St. Peter's Square, as well as to the people of faith around the globe. He said, ``Be not afraid.'' This was an important message as the Soviet Union dominated not only his native Poland but the gigantic Soviet Union and all the satellites in Central and Eastern Europe. From that moment on, His Holiness has steadfastly used his pontificate to speak out against global injustices and oppression, and he has committed to do so until his very last breath. He is widely recognized as a leader not only of the Catholic Church, but as a man of great moral authority for the entire globe.

In the 1980s, the Pope played a pivotal role in supporting the Polish Solidarity movement, which was instrumental in the downfall of communism in Poland and throughout Central and Eastern Europe. This, in turn, helped launch the chain of events that led to the dissolution of Stalin's empire and the end of communist domination in the eastern half of Europe.

Pope John Paul has been actively involved in social justice causes of all kinds, speaking out against dictators in Paraguay, Chile, the Philippines and traveling to 125 countries to visit with government leaders, but more importantly, to visit with ordinary people.

Under his leadership, the Vatican's diplomacy around the globe has spanned a wide range of subjects, from small arms trafficking to the great gulf between rich and poor in the developing world. One of his unique features was his steady fight against the plague of anti- Semitism and this week when the leader of Malaysia has again raised in the ugliest form anti-Semitism at an international gathering, the important and decency of this Pope stands out in sharp contrast. The Pope has also welcomed tens of millions of visitors to the Vatican. My wife, Annette, and I were fortunate enough to have an audience with His Holiness. We were both impressed with his presence, his kindness, his wisdom and with his authority. He is one of the most influential and inspirational leaders of our time.

I feel particularly close to him personally, Mr. Speaker, because he has survived the evils of both fascism and communism, as have I. This pontiff has remained a constant voice for human dignity and peace. His admonition to forgive was most poignantly exemplified by his forgiveness of the man who attempted to kill him in St. Peter's Square.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join all of us who are supporting this resolution to this remarkable man and to his 25 years of unique and exemplary service to all mankind.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pope John Paul II as the world celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the papacy. Born Karol Joozef Wojtylla in Wadowice, Poland in 1920, he entered the seminary in 1942 and was named Archbishop of Krakow in 1964. Three years later, he became a cardinal under Pope Paul VI. Karol Wojtylla was named Pope John Paul II on Oct. 16, 1978.

Pope John Paul II means many things to many people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds throughout the world. Adoring crowds, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, meet him wherever he goes to hear his messages of peace and hope, especially during troubled times. As a child he suffered greatly from the death of his infant sister and mother before the age of nine, only to face the death of his older brother three years later. He musters strength, from these challenges in his childhood and an assassination attempt on his life in adulthood, to help others. Indeed Pope John Paul II is one of the most recognized people in the world for his work on human rights and humanitarian assistance.

Growing up during the times of Nazi Germany, he witnessed the very real atrocities committed against Jews, and in Poland worked to end communism by sending messages and instructions with priests to imprisoned union leaders. He was the first pope to visit the memorial at Auschwitz to pay homage to the victims of the Holocaust. Pope John Paul II is often credited with fostering a greater understanding between Christians and Jews and he leads by example, being the first pope to ever visit a synagogue.

Pope John Paul II is also the most traveled pope in the 2000-year history of the church--traveling to over 100 countries and speaking eight languages, he reaches out to families and citizens in need. Often we see pictures of the pope with sick children or ailing seniors and we hear his message of generosity and care towards others.

He is a scholar. Pope John Paul II studied at an underground seminary to become a priest and is an accomplished author of two doctoral dissertations as well as numerous speeches. He taught at the Catholic University of Lublin--the only Catholic university in the communist world--and was later appointed to the Chair of Ethics at Catholic University before becoming an auxiliary bishop.

Pope John Paul II is a pope of many firsts. He was the first non- Italian pope in 455 years and at age 58 was the youngest pope in 132 years. He met with Mikhail Gorbachev--the first meeting between a pope and a Kremlin chief--and also visited Cuba at the behest of Fidel Castro.

As the world joins him in celebrating his 25th anniversary, I hope all of us can agree that Pope John Paul II is surely a man of great courage, conviction, bravery and integrity. He has positively impacted the world and the mark he leaves will surely inspire and teach generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) for introducing and honoring Pope John Paul II. I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I am grateful we are discussing it today, the 25th anniversary of his papacy.

As a Roman Catholic whose grandmother came to America from Poland, nothing has made me or my family more proud of our heritage than has Pope John Paul II. For the last 25 years, he has been a constant reminder that everything is obtainable if you pour your heart and soul into the work and trust in God's guidance.

Faced with adversity since his own childhood, Pope John Paul II has always persevered and uplifted those cast aside by society, giving them hope through his compassion and through his example. Whether it was surviving the Nazi reign in Poland, or helping heroes like Ronald Reagan end the grip of communism on the world, Pope John Paul II never met a fight that was bigger or more powerful than his vision and his faith.

And while past religious beliefs were often barriers, Pope John II accomplished a mission to bridge those divides no matter how daunting the task or how deep the divide. He has elected the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. He was the first pontiff from Poland, and the first pontiff from a country headed by a Marxist and atheist government, all circumstances that would pose huge challenges for anyone. My Polish grandmother, who came to America, knew some of those same entrenched barriers and stereotypes that this great man had to overcome at the start of his election. But in the 25 years since that election, Pope John Paul II has long surmounted those challenges and has become the world's leading voice against oppression, tyranny and injustice.

Cardinal Ratzinger said, ``You turn to young and old, rich and poor, powerful and humble, and always showed according to the example of Jesus Christ, a particular love for the poor and the defenseless.'' In his prayer this weekend in St. Peter's Square, ``I renew in the hands of Mary, beloved Mother, the gift of myself, of the present and the future, everything will be done according to your will. Supreme Pastor, stay among us so that we can proceed with you securely to the house of the Father.''

Mr. Speaker, he is a real-life hero and a role model in a world that has far too few, and I join my colleagues in honoring Pope John Paul II in commemorating his 25th anniversary.