Kaptur Among Select Congressional Delegation to Represent U.S. House at Funeral Services for Pope John Paul II

KAPTUR AMONG SELECT CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO REPRESENT U.S. HOUSE AT FUNERAL SERVICES FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II IN ROME

Apr 5, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) has been selected by Speaker Dennis Hastert and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to be a part of the twenty-six-member U.S. delegation to Rome to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral on April 7th and 8th. Kaptur, a lifelong Roman Catholic, is one of 129 Roman Catholics in the U.S. House, and the senior Democratic woman in the House and of Polish-American heritage. Kaptur released the following statement:

"It is a great honor to be a part of the United States delegation to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate this extraordinary man's life and to pay our respects, on behalf of the citizens of Ohio and our nation.

"Pope John Paul II will be remembered throughout the world for his life of sacrifice and his witness to the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten people. He helped them imagine a life of freedom, dignity and worth. He expanded the Roman rites inclusively by appointing cardinals from Asia as well as Africa, and became a larger than life modern day evangelist, visiting almost 130 countries during his tenure.

"As the first Polish pope, his papacy and his life's work centered on developing an alternative to Nazi and Communist political ideologies that tormented his native Poland and much of Europe. He stirred deep within people's being to have our freedom beginning with Nazi and Soviet occupied Europe. Poland's Solidarity movement, and the liberty that it made possible, would not have been achieved without his inspiration and personal courage.

"The dignity with which he lived while suffering from Parkinson's disease inspired others living with incurable conditions to continue to lead useful lives.

"Our delegation will convey the thoughts, prayers, and profound gratitude of the American public for a man who in death, as in life, continues to inspire our world."

http://www.kaptur.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1370