2005 Assembly Joint Resolution 27
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring Pope John Paul II.
Whereas, Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920; and
Whereas, he made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and was confirmed at age 18. He studied in the clandestine seminary of Krakow, during World War II, and was ordained a priest in 1946; and
Whereas, Karol Wojtyla continued his studies and earned doctoral degrees in philosophy and theology in the 1950s and served as a professor at the Catholic University of Lublin; and
Whereas, on January 13, 1964, he was nominated Archbishop of Krakow by Pope Paul VI, who made him a cardinal on June 26, 1967, in the Sistine Chapel; and
Whereas, on October 16, 1978, Karol Wojtyla began his pontificate as Pope John Paul II; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II became the church's 264th pope and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II used his pontificate to become a world leader for freedom by becoming a voice against communism, oppression, and tyranny; and
Whereas, in the 1980s, Pope John Paul II helped energize the movement for freedom in Poland by vocally supporting the striking dock workers at the Gdansk Shipyard. That strike helped bring freedom to Poland and began the downfall of communism; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II became the most traveled pope in history and became the first pope to officially visit Israel; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II journeyed more than three-quarters of a million miles meeting with other major world leaders during his papacy; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II was a tireless voice for freedom having personally survived fascism, communism, and terrorism; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II, in his 26 years as the head of the Catholic Church, became more than just a spiritual leader for people of his faith, but also a moral and influential leader for the entire world. He has been a voice for peace and human dignity, standing up for those who had no voice; and
Whereas, Pope John Paul II met his great reward on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life of Pope John Paul II, express their sorrow at his death, and extend condolences; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to the Vatican and to the Most Reverend Archbishop Timothy Dolan at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
