SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 563
In Memory
of
His Holiness Pope John Paul II
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins people around
the world in mourning the loss of His Holiness Pope John Paul II,
who died April 2, 2005, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, The spiritual leader of the world's 1.2 billion
Roman Catholics, Pope John Paul II was noted for his deep-seated
humanitarianism and for his efforts to reach out to all people,
irrespective of religion or culture; and
WHEREAS, A champion of human dignity, he spoke for those
whose voices would not have been heard otherwise, such as the
poor and the homeless; he was an intellectual and a scholar who
held degrees in theology and philosophy; he was also a poet, a
playwright, and a linguist who spoke nine languages fluently; and
WHEREAS, Born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice,
Poland, he was ordained a priest in 1946; he served as the
Archbishop of Krakow and was made a cardinal in 1967 by Pope Paul VI;
in 1978, he was elected to the papacy at the age of 58, the first
non-Italian elected to the position in 455 years and the youngest
pope in 125 years; and
WHEREAS, Known as the most traveled pope in history,
Pope John Paul II was truly a missionary to the world, having
visited 129 countries during his papacy; a great spokesman for
peace, social justice, and freedom, he played a major role in
bringing down communism in Poland and throughout Eastern Europe;
he was noted for his special rapport with young people and for
teaching the need for responsibility and high moral principles
in the modern world; and
WHEREAS, A fearless and tireless spiritual leader, he
overcame many adversities, including an assassination attempt,
and he went through an anguished struggle with a debilitating
disease; his valor in the face of his illness was an inspiration
to all, and in his final days, he showed the world how to die with
dignity; and
WHEREAS, As a testimony to his greatness as a world leader
and to his appeal as a beloved public figure, more than two million
pilgrims are expected to arrive in Rome in the wake of his death
to celebrate a life that touched so many and to commemorate the
end of a historic era; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Pope John Paul II;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of and in honor of Pope John Paul II.
Lucio
Armbrister Fraser Seliger
Averitt Gallegos Shapiro
Barrientos Harris Shapleigh
Brimer Hinojosa Staples
Carona Jackson Van de Putte
Deuell Janek Wentworth
Duncan Lindsay West
Ellis Madla Whitmire
Eltife Nelson Williams
Estes Ogden Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 7, 2005, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate