Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, John Paul II was a remarkable leader whose intense faith, intellectual brilliance, and sheer physical stamina are beyond dispute. He has been an inspiration to me and to millions of others, and his leadership brought people of all faiths closer together. John Paul II was a beacon of freedom and he gave his voice to those who could not speak, especially to those who were oppressed by the brutality of Communist oppression.

In public pronouncements during his visits to Poland and at every possible opportunity, he bore a simple message: truth matters, faith matters, freedom matters and injustice must be condemned and challenged.

He encouraged such dissidents as Poland's Lech Walesa and Czechoslovakia's Vaclav Havel to live ``as if'' they were free, undermining the elaborate system of lies that the Communist system depended upon to survive. Once pretenses were stripped away, more and more people realized they were not alone. It was Pope John Paul II's courage and decisive action that nurtured Poland's Solidarity movement and served as a catalyst to the peaceful liberation of Poland and the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Pope John Paul II was the first Pope to truly take his papacy outside the Vatican and deliver his message all across the globe. He made an outstanding 104 pilgrimages to 129 countries. I had the privilege of seeing the

Pope twice, once in 1979 at a mass at Five Holy Martyrs Parish in Chicago and once at a mass at the Vatican on Christmas Eve. I am but one of millions of people worldwide who were moved by the personal experience both of his charisma and also the truth that he spoke.

Pope John Paul II broke precedent after precedent in reaching out to those of other faiths. He was the first Pope since St. Peter to visit a synagogue and the first to visit a mosque. In an extraordinary illustration of his respect for other faiths, he issued a series of papal apologies for the Church's past treatment of Jews, for the Crusades, and for the Church's role in the post-Reformation wars of religion. He understood the critical importance of forgiveness for peace, even forgiving his would-be assassin.

While some may view the Pope's statements and actions as representing an inconsistent political ideology, the truth is that everything that John Paul II did arose from one inviolable principle: Every individual has dignity, and society must constantly strive to uphold that dignity and promote a ``culture of life.'' He understood that if the life and liberty of each person is to be protected, this principle must motivate the actions of governments.

I join my fellow Catholics and people everywhere in mourning the passing of the Holy Father. Pope John Paul II had a remarkable and blessed life, altering history and making the world a better place. But even with his death, there are still millions, including many youth, who have been inspired by his life, who will continue to strive to carry on his good work. This is a true testament to one of the greatest figures, perhaps the greatest figure, of the 20th century.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an outstanding organization in my district, the Women's Club of Lyons on its 50th Anniversary celebration this year.

For five decades, the Women's Club of Lyons has promoted civic responsibility, philanthropy and friendship throughout its community. Chartered in April 1955, the Women's Club aims to encourage its members to become civic minded and socially active with charitable causes and community awareness and development.

From its early days, the Women's Club has branched out into other charitable endeavors, including funding Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League, American Cancer Society, Lyons Food Pantry, youth programs with the Lyons Recreation Department, the Ronald McDonald House, the Constance Morris home for battered women, the Wives and Children Fund of the New York Policemen and Firemen's fund after 9/11, and the Stars and Stripes fund, as well as many other charitable causes.

However, the club still maintains much of its original character as a place for women to form the bonds of friendship and camaraderie through its social activities and monthly meetings which feature speakers discussing important issues of the day.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Western Springs Women's Club and all of its members, past and present, on its 50 years of service to its community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three outstanding women in my district whose contributions to their communities have been recognized by an outstanding organization in my district.

Kay Llewellyn, Rebecca Joworski Cortez and Therese Schey were named Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Whispering Oaks Council. This prestigious award, bestowed annually for the past 12 years, recognizes three community, business and educational leaders who are role models for young women.

Ms. Llewellyn has taught sixth grade at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge for 23 years, specializing in science instruction. She has also counseled young women from less advantaged backgrounds to help them establish educational and career goals. Her advice to young women is simple, yet timeless: ``Being true to yourself and your beliefs and morals is never easy. But in the end that's what makes one a stronger person.''

Ms. Cortez is a graphic designer with the world renowned Field Museum and has worked with several Chicago museums and the Brookfield Zoo in my District. She has volunteered extensively at Forest Road School in La Grange Park, especially with sixth grade art classes in developing an annual Art Legacy Project. She believes that ``Young women today-- and young men, for that matter--need to value themselves and be aware of their self-worth. They need to respect themselves and have the courage to walk away from wrong choices.''

Ms. Schey represents the highest level of community service. She has lent her time and talents to several organizations including: the American Legion Robert E. Coulter Post Ladies Auxiliary; the Girl Scouts; the Countryside Women's Club; the Parent and Community Network; and she coordinated a drive to supply American troops in Iraq with a few comfort items, like sun block. Ms. Schey also finds time to serve as a part-time director of the St. Cletus School After Care Program. She tells young women that ``You need to have faith, confidence and trust in yourself. Keep yourself informed by reading, use of the Internet and staying aware of what is going on around you.''

Mr. Speaker, I salute these three Women of Distinction, and give them my best wishes for continued success as role models for our young people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 23. Catholic schools have been educating American children since the founding of our country. They continue to serve as an important complement to our public schools and other private institutions, providing top-quality, values-added education for young students across the Nation.

In my district, which is located in the Chicago archdiocese, dozens of Catholic schools have planned events for students, teachers, and parents to enjoy and celebrate Catholic Schools Week. At Saint Symphorosa, students are participating in a community prayer service, a neighborhood ice cream social, and a variety of educational events. In addition, they are taking part in Vocation Appreciation Day.

Saint Francis Xavier in LaGrange, my home parish, they are celebrating with Student and Teacher Appreciation Days, an academic fair emphasizing student curriculum and student projects, and a special liturgy honoring teachers, students, and parents, all of whom make great contributions to the integrity and values of Catholic education.

As we honor Catholic schools, we need to especially pay tribute to the more than 163,000 Catholic school teachers nationwide. These dedicated sisters, priests, brothers, and lay teachers are the backbone of Catholic education. They sacrifice so much personally in order to provide a top notch education that serves our children very well in preparing them for the future.

My wife and I are each products of 12 years of Catholic elementary and secondary education: Judy in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, at Saint Patrick's grade school and Bishop McCourt High School; myself in Chicago at Saint Symphorosa Grammar School and Saint Ignatius College Prep. Although at the time I did not always appreciate their hard work, I have fond memories of my teachers who provided me with the fundamentals of a good education that laid the groundwork for future academic achievements. But just as important, they instilled in me the belief that I should use my God-given abilities to contribute to society. In doing this, they provided me with the inspiration for a career as an educator and as a public servant, just as they have inspired countless other Americans to contribute to our society.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to pass House Resolution 23.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding labor of love and faith in my district.

Carl Demma of Oak Lawn had a vision nearly 20 years ago of expressing his Catholic faith by creating a larger-than-life statue of the Virgin Mary. His goal was to encourage people to reflect on their religious faith at the beginning of the new millennium. Mr. Demma's vision was realized in a 33-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary. Our Lady of the New Millennium was blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1998, and, since that time, hundreds of thousands of the faithful have been able to view the statue.

Since Carl passed on in 2000, his beloved wife Francine has dedicated her time and energy to ensuring that the statue continues to be transported from parish to parish for all the faithful to experience.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Mr. and Mrs. Demma for their dedication and their many years of service to the community.