Honoring John Paul II

HONORING JOHN PAUL II -- (Senate - April 05, 2005)

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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the Holy Father.

Pope John Paul II was an extraordinary ambassador for the betterment of humankind in every corner of the globe. His humanity shone through every day for two and a half decades of his papacy and his impact on the world will be everlasting.

He was a moral leader in so many of the great battles of our time. He fought Communism without violence, and he was dogged in his battles against war, injustice, and intolerance wherever he found them. He viewed the world in clear terms of good and evil, but he never once descended to demagoguery. He was a man who at once understood both the frailty and potential of the human spirit.

What other kind of man could have forgiven his would be assassin in person and prayed with him in his jail cell?

His capacity for belief in the betterment of man moved the world.

What other kind of man could overcome centuries of mistrust and conflict to establish diplomatic ties between the Vatican and the State of Israel. That was truly a bold and historic move.

As a New Yorker, I also must offer to say a special thanks to the Pope from the residents of our State and city. New York is an international city that attracts immigrants from all over the world who come with the dream of finding a better life.

While the Pope might be the most famous Pole of his time, every one of our citizens admired and often shared his pluck, his expansiveness and his optimism, qualities that make New York the greatest city on Earth. That is one of the reasons he was revered as such a hero by all New Yorkers, because the qualities that he exhibited of optimism and pluck and expansiveness are characteristics of our city as well. So every time he came here, there was a beautiful union. Like the Statue of Liberty that he quoted in his visit to Giants Stadium in 1995, his life and work was a symbol to millions on these shores and beyond that they, too, if they worked hard and stuck to their principles and moral values, could enjoy a better life.

And when terrible tragedy struck our city that awful day 4 years ago, the Pope's poignant statements reassured all New Yorkers and all Americans. He said at that time:

May the Blessed Virgin, bring comfort and hope to all who are suffering because of the tragic terrorist attack that profoundly wounded the beloved American people in recent days. To all the sons and daughters of that great nation I now address my heartfelt thoughts and participation. May Mary receive the dead, console the survivors, sustain the families which have been especially tried and help everyone not to give in to the temptation to hatred and violence, but to commit themselves to serving justice and peace.

And he didn't stop there. After the attacks he convened an inter faith pilgrimage for peace to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. He only led such a pilgrimage twice before--once during the Cold War, once during the Balkans conflict. He led leaders of Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Zoroastrian, Tenrikyo, Shinto and traditional African faiths in prayer and meditation. It was only a delegation he could have led.

Personally, I will never forget the Pope's visit to New York City in 1979. One glance at him and you saw that his nobility and his common touch combined so well in one human being was unforgettable for the millions of New Yorkers who lined the streets to greet him. People of all faiths and background mourn his passing. I join the billions of citizens around the world in a solemn prayer and remembrance of this great, wonderful, and holy man, Pope John Paul II.

I yield the floor.

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