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The Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal
On April 2, 2005,
Pope John Paul II passed away. He was in his 27th year as pope, one of the longest reigning popes in history. Despite illness and infirmity, he tirelessly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He defended life in all its forms, wrote prolifically on Catholic topics such as the Eucharist and the rosary, pleaded for peace in the world and created more Roman Catholic saints than any other pope. It is said that he was the most recognized man in the world and he is by far the most widely-travelled pope in history.
Remarks on the Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II April 2, 2005
Pope John Paul II: 25th Anniversary
Highlights of Pope John Paul II's papacy
Significant Quotes of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II to Receive U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (For his work on behalf of peace, human rights and diplomacy) A delegation of U.S. senators and congressmen will award the Congressional Gold Medal -- the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress -- to Pope John Paul II in Rome January 8, 2001 Senator Sam Brownback, Republican of Kansas, issued a press release praising the pope's work on behalf of peace and human rights, including the pope's visit to the Holy Land and to Israel's main Holocaust memorial, and his expression of sorrow for the persecution and murder of Jews by Christians. "The pope, having witnessed first-hand the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and communist regimes, understands, in a way few of us can appreciate, the true dignity of each and every human being," Brownback said in a press release. "He is a crusader against the offenses against human dignity that have transpired in the twentieth century. More than any other single person this century, Pope John Paul II has worked to protect the rights of each individual." Among past recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal are
Mother Teresa,
Nelson Mandela,
Reverend Billy Graham, and civil rights pioneer
Rosa Parks. Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text) Sam Brownback United States Senator - Kansas [Republican] Washington DC
January 5, 2001
POPE JOHN PAUL II TO RECEIVE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback announced today he will co-chair a Senate delegation with U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D-Maryland] to Rome to award Pope John Paul II the Congressional Gold Medal on January 8. Brownback authored the Senate legislation awarding the medal to the pope. The senators will be joined by a House delegation led by Speaker Dennis Hastert [R-Illinois]. "Pope John Paul II is said to be the most recognized person in the world, having personally visited tens of millions, in almost every continent and country," Brownback said. "He has been one of the greatest pastoral leaders of this century, fearlessly guiding the Catholic Church into the new millennium. Due to his tremendous faith and leadership he was elected bishop at a very early age, and elected to the papacy on October 16, 1978, at the age of 58. "Though many people see the pope as an important statesman, diplomat and political figure, Pope John Paul II is much more than that. As spiritual leader to the world's one billion [1,000 million] Catholics, the pope has commenced a great dialogue with modern culture, one that transcends the boundaries of political or economic ideo1ogy. "He stands boldly as an ever-vigilant sign of contradiction to a culture that is darkened by the clouds of death. In the face of this mounting storm, he has tirelessly proclaimed the need for a culture of life. The urgency of the pope's message becomes more acute each day, particularly at the beginning of the new millennium. "The pope, having witnessed first-hand the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and communist regimes, understands, in a way few of us can appreciate, the true dignity of each and every human being. He is a crusader against the offenses against human dignity that have transpired in the twentieth century. More than any other single person this century, Pope John Paul II has worked to protect the rights of each individual. John Paul II has also addressed almost every major question posed by the modern mind at the turn of the millennium. "One of the messages emphasized by the pope is the need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God, and with our sisters and brothers. A week before his historic personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land the pope asked forgiveness from God on behalf of Christians who did not do enough to oppose the forces of evil that have ravaged humanity during the past century. "The pope's dialogue with the modern world has taken him around the globe, and has led the Catholic Church to play an active role in the lives of people that many have chosen to either forget or ignore," Brownback said.
BROWNBACK INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO AWARD
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO POPE JOHN PAUL II Contact: Erik Hotmire
Monday, April 17, 2000 WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback has introduced legislation to award Pope John Paul II the Congressional Gold Medal. Sixty-six Senators have cosponsored the Brownback legislation. Excerpts of his floor speech follow. Pope John Paul II is said to be the most recognized person in the world, having personally visited tens of millions, in almost every continent and country, Brownback said. He has been one of the greatest pastoral leaders of this century, fearlessly guiding the Catholic Church into the new millennium. Due to his tremendous faith and leadership he was elected bishop at a very early age, and elected to the papacy on October 16, 1978, at the age of 58. Though many people see the pope as an important statesman, diplomat and political figure, Pope John Paul II is much more than that. As spiritual leader to the worlds one billion Catholics, the pope has commenced a great dialogue with modern culture, one that transcends the boundaries of political or economic ideology. As have his predecessors of happy memory, he stands boldly as an ever vigilant sign of contradiction to a culture that is darkened by the clouds of death. In the face of this mounting storm, he has tirelessly proclaimed the need for a culture of life. The urgency of this message the popes message becomes more acute by the day; particularly at the beginning of the new millennium. The pope, having witnessed first-hand the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and communist regimes, understands, in a way few of us can appreciate, the true dignity of each and every human being. He is a crusader against the offences against human dignity that have transpired in the twentieth century. More than any other single person this century, Pope John Paul II has worked to protect the rights of each individual. As well, John Paul II has addressed almost every major question posed by the modern mind at the turn of the millennium. One of the gospel messages emphasized by the pope is the need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God, and with our sisters and brothers. A week before his historic personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land the pope asked forgiveness from God on behalf of Christians who were inactive, or who were not active enough in opposing the forces of evil that have ravaged humanity during the past century. He is indeed a man on a mission. His message was peacefully conveyed in the Middle East to peoples with whom he has obvious deep religious differences. His serenity in the midst of such turmoil, as well as his obvious love for all people should be a model for us all as we encounter people in our daily life with whom we radically disagree, or with whom we have had a difficult relationship. His trip to the Middle East is just one particular example. The popes dialogue with the modern era has taken him across the world, and has brought the Church into active conversation with people that many in the modern world have chosen to either forget or to ignore, Brownback said.
BROWNBACK LEGISLATION TO AWARD
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO POPE JOHN PAUL II PASSES COMMITTEE Contact: Erik Hotmire
Thursday, July 13, 2000 WASHINGTON Today the Senate Banking Committee passed by voice-vote legislation (S.2453) introduced by U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback to award Pope John Paul II the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill will now go before the Senate for final passage. I am pleased by todays vote in the Senate Banking Committee, Brownback said. It is fitting that we honor Pope John Paul II; he has been a tireless servant-leader for over two decades. Though many people see the pope as an important statesman, diplomat and political figure, Pope John Paul II is much more than that. As spiritual leader to the worlds one billion Catholics, the pope has commenced a great dialogue with modern culture, one that transcends the boundaries of political or economic ideology. He stands boldly as an ever vigilant sign of contradiction to a culture that is darkened by the clouds of death. In the face of this mounting storm, he has tirelessly proclaimed the need for a culture of life. The urgency of this message the popes message becomes more acute by the day; particularly at the beginning of the new millennium. The pope, having witnessed first-hand the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and Communist regimes, understands, in a way few of us can appreciate, the true dignity of each and every human being. He is a crusader against the offences against human dignity that have transpired in the twentieth century. More than any other single person this century, Pope John Paul II has worked to protect the rights of each individual. As well, John Paul II has addressed almost every major question posed by the modern mind at the turn of the millennium, Brownback said.
POPE JOHN PAUL II TO RECEIVE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Contact: Erik Hotmire
Friday, January 5, 2001 WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback announced today he will co-chair a Senate delegation with U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski to Rome to award Pope John Paul II the Congressional Gold Medal on January 8. Brownback authored the Senate legislation awarding the medal to the pope. The senators will be joined by a House delegation led by Speaker Dennis Hastert. All press questions should be directed by fax if possible to Marjorie Weeke at the Vatican. Phone- 011 3906 6988 3597; Fax- 011 3906 6988 5373 Pope John Paul II is said to be the most recognized person in the world, having personally visited tens of millions, in almost every continent and country, Brownback said. He has been one of the greatest pastoral leaders of this century, fearlessly guiding the Catholic Church into the new millennium. Due to his tremendous faith and leadership he was elected bishop at a very early age, and elected to the papacy on October 16, 1978, at the age of 58. Though many people see the pope as an important statesman, diplomat and political figure, Pope John Paul II is much more than that. As spiritual leader to the worlds one billion Catholics, the pope has commenced a great dialogue with modern culture, one that transcends the boundaries of political or economic ideology. He stands boldly as an ever vigilant sign of contradiction to a culture that is darkened by the clouds of death. In the face of this mounting storm, he has tirelessly proclaimed the need for a culture of life. The urgency of the popes message becomes more acute each day, particularly at the beginning of the new millennium. The pope, having witnessed first-hand the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and communist regimes, understands, in a way few of us can appreciate, the true dignity of each and every human being. He is a crusader against the offenses against human dignity that have transpired in the twentieth century. More than any other single person this century, Pope John Paul II has worked to protect the rights of each individual. John Paul II has also addressed almost every major question posed by the modern mind at the turn of the millennium. One of the messages emphasized by the pope is the need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God, and with our sisters and brothers. A week before his historic personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land the pope asked forgiveness from God on behalf of Christians who did not do enough to oppose the forces of evil that have ravaged humanity during the past century. The popes dialogue with the modern world has taken him around the globe, and has led the Catholic Church to play an active role in the lives of people that many have chosen to either forget or ignore, Brownback said.
POPE JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Contact: Erik Hotmire
Monday, January 8, 2001 WASHINGTON Pope John Paul II received the Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony in Rome. The medal was presented by a Congressional delegation led by U.S. Sens. Sam Brownback and Barbara Mikulski and House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Brownback authored the Senate legislation awarding the medal to the pope. Pope John Paul II is said to be the most recognized person in the world, having personally visited tens of millions, in almost every continent and country, Brownback said. He has been one of the greatest pastoral leaders of this century, fearlessly guiding the Catholic Church into the new millennium. Due to his tremendous faith and leadership he was elected bishop at a very early age, and elected to the papacy on October 16, 1978, at the age of 58. Though many people see the pope as an important statesman, diplomat and political figure, Pope John Paul II is much more than that. As spiritual leader to the worlds one billion Catholics, the pope has commenced a great dialogue with modern culture, one that transcends the boundaries of political or economic ideology. He stands boldly as an ever vigilant sign of contradiction to a culture that is darkened by the clouds of death. In the face of this mounting storm, he has tirelessly proclaimed the need for a culture of life. The urgency of the popes message becomes more acute each day, particularly at the beginning of the new millennium. The pope, having witnessed first-hand the brutal inhumanity of Nazi and communist regimes, understands, in a way few of us can appreciate, the true dignity of each and every human being. He is a crusader against the offenses against human dignity that have transpired in the twentieth century. More than any other single person this century, Pope John Paul II has worked to protect the rights of each individual. John Paul II has also addressed almost every major question posed by the modern mind at the turn of the millennium. One of the messages emphasized by the pope is the need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God, and with our sisters and brothers. A week before his historic personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land the pope asked forgiveness from God on behalf of Christians who did not do enough to oppose the forces of evil that have ravaged humanity during the past century. The popes dialogue with the modern world has taken him around the globe, and has led the Catholic Church to play an active role in the lives of people that many have chosen to either forget or ignore, Brownback said. All press questions in Rome should be directed to Marjorie Weeke at the Vatican. Phone- 011 3906 6988 3597; Fax- 011 3906 6988 5373
Pope John Paul II is the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholic Christians around the world and millions of Catholic Christians in America and has led the Catholic Church into its third millennium. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded in recognition of his many enduring contributions to peace and religious understanding. Speaker J. Dennis Hastert presented the gold medal on January 8, 2001 in Italy. The obverse of the medal features a portrait of Pope John Paul II with the wording His Holiness Pope John Paul II centered along the top border of the medal. The reverse of the medal bears the Congressional Seal in the center of the medal with the inscription, By Act of the U.S. Congress 2000 centered along the bottom of the medal.
Design: Obverse T. James Ferrell, Reverse Edgar Steever Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 106-250, approved July 27, 2000 Place Minted: Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark)
Pope John Paul II born Karol Jsef Wojtyla
b. Wadowice (Krakw), Poland, 18 May 1920 Thursday, 27 July 2000
An Act To authorize a gold medal to be presented on behalf of the Congress to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring contributions to peace and religious understanding, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act". SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds that Pope John Paul II--
(1) is the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholic Christians around the world and millions of Catholic Christians in America and has led the Catholic Church into its third millennium; (2) is recognized in the United States and abroad as a preeminent moral authority; (3) has dedicated his Pontificate to the freedom and dignity of every individual human being and tirelessly traveled to the far reaches of the globe as an exemplar of faith; (4) has brought hope to millions of people all over the world oppressed by poverty, hunger, illness, and despair; (5) transcending temporal politics, has used his moral authority to hasten the fall of godless totalitarian regimes, symbolized in the collapse of the Berlin wall; (6) has promoted the inner peace of man as well as peace among mankind through his faith-inspired defense of justice; and (7) has thrown open the doors of the Catholic Church, reconciling differences within Christendom as well as reaching out to the world's other great religions. SEC. 3.
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many and enduring contributions to peace and religious understanding. (b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the "Secretary") shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary. SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS. The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, and at a price sufficient to cover the costs thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal. SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS. The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code. SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE. (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby authorized to be charged against the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the medal authorized by this Act. (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sales of duplicate bronze medals under section 4 shall be deposited in the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
114 Stat. 622-623
The Official Vatican Website
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