The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 48.

            A resolution honoring the life and contributions to the world of The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

            Whereas, It is with a strong sense of reverence and admiration for the love he shared and the sacrifices he made on behalf of all of the people of the world, we honor today the life of Karol Jozef Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II; and

            Whereas, Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born in Poland on May 18, 1920, and by the time he was in his early 20s and a young actor, he had lost both his parents, an army officer and school teacher, and his brother, and was made to leave a university during Nazi occupation to work in a quarry and chemical factory to avoid being deported to Germany; and

Whereas, In 1942 he became aware of his call to the priesthood and began clandestine seminary courses during the Second World War.  After the war, he continued his studies in Poland, received his priestly ordination in 1946 and was sent to Rome where he finished his doctorate in theology.  In 1948, he returned to Poland as vicar of various parishes, served as chaplain for university students and again began his own studies in philosophy and theology; and

Whereas, In 1958 Karol Jozef Wojtyla was appointed Auxiliary Archbishop of Krakow and in 1964 was nominated Archbishop of Krakow.  At the age of 47, he was elevated to Cardinal and became the moral compass and the beacon for social change in Poland that would counter communism; and

            Whereas, In 1978 Pope John Paul II became the first Slavic Pope, and the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years, to lead the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics, including Michigan’s 2.25 million Catholics with whom he celebrated Mass in 1987 from the Pontiac Silverdome; and

            Whereas, His papacy has been marked by his call to respect the weak and disadvantaged; to value the aged; to confront the evils of communism in his home of Poland, Cuba and around the world; to reaffirm the Church’s position on Catholicism’s core beliefs; and even offer forgiveness to his 1981 would-be assassin; and

            Whereas, As the most-traveled Pope in history he made visits to nearly 130 countries to share his vision and message for justice, peace and dignity for all people, and against poverty.  Pope John Paul II met with numerous government leaders during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings with Heads of State, and 246 audiences with Prime Ministers; and

            Whereas, Pope John Paul II continued to spread his message of compassion and goodwill despite deteriorating health in recent years due to Parkinson’s disease and crippling knee and hip ailments that both limited his travel and served as an inspiration to the world; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor the life of Karol Jozef Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II.  May God grant us the same ability to spread the love and peace personified by this great man, and follow his lessons to respect and protect all life, love our neighbor and offer assistance to those less fortunate; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Holy See as a token of our esteem and respect.