Tribute to Pope John Paul II

TRIBUTE TO POPE JOHN PAUL II -- (House of Representatives - April 06, 2005)

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Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to pay tribute to the extraordinary life of Pope John Paul II. I served as an altar boy as a child, was educated by the Jesuit priests, and as a Roman Catholic I admired this man for his unwavering faith, extreme determination, and belief in the culture of life. His service to the Church and his dedication to freedom for all individuals are legacies the world will remember and honor for decades to come.

As the Holy Father once said, "Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."

Ten years ago, my wife, Linda, and I had the honor of a private audience with the Pope where we came to believe even more in his efforts to speak out strongly in favor of human rights as he stood firmly with the United States in defeating communism and spreading democracy across our globe.

This son of Poland served as a beacon of light to the world's oppressed and unborn. In life, as in death, the youth of the world loved this Pope. He too loved them and believed, "As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."

His message on the sanctity of human life and social justice served as a rallying cry for millions looking for an advocate for the defenseless and the weak. He gave a voice to the silenced and provided hope to the hopeless.

Pope John Paul II appealed to the better nature of man. Humanity was well served by his Papacy. With his passing, let us celebrate his service to all mankind and listen quietly as the angels in heaven sing in joy as he ascends to touch the face of God.

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