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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Pope John Paul II
View the Presidential Medal of Freedom Presentation June 4, 2004
Sensenbrenner Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Urging President Bush to Award Pope John Paul II the Presidential Medal of Freedom
10/29/03 2:20:00 PM
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.) has introduced a bipartisan resolution, H. Con. Res. 313, urging President George W. Bush to award the highest civilian award of the United States government, the Presidential Medal of Freedom , to His Holiness Pope John Paul II. This honor would be a special commemoration of twenty-five years of the Pope's ministry as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pastor of the Catholic Church and in recognition of Pope John Paul II's significant, enduring, and historic contributions to the causes of freedom, human dignity, and peace.
Chairman Sensenbrenner stated, "There is perhaps no other individual who is more deserving of this recognition than Pope John Paul II. Throughout his life and ministry, he has promoted freedom in both word and deed. President Ronald Reagan and Lady Margaret Thatcher, who shared Pope John Paul II's commitment to Solidarity in the 1980's -- a movement that ultimately led to the demise of the Soviet empire and the emancipation of hundreds of millions -- are past recipients of the Medal of Freedom . Americans appreciate the courage, convictions, and commitment to freedom that the Pope has demonstrated throughout his lifetime. I hope that President George W. Bush will agree that it is appropriate to present the Medal of Freedom to His Holiness as a sign of our gratitude."
President John F. Kennedy authorized the practice of awarding Presidential Medals of Freedom to persons "for especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors" (Executive Order 11085 dated February 22, 1963 ).
Since inception, approximately 400 medals have been given to persons representing a wide variety of disciplines and achievements. His Holiness Pope John XXIII was among the first 31 honorees. President Johnson presented the award posthumously on December 6, 1963. Though other religious leaders have been so honored, no subsequent Pope has been accorded this recognition. In 2000, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow, on Pope John Paul II.
President Bill Clinton Welcoming Pope John Paul II in Denver, CO, August 12 , 1993
Contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn of the House Committee on the Judiciary, 202-225-2492, http://www.house.gov/judiciary
Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, meet His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in Rome Jan. 27, 2004. The visit was part of a five-day trip through Switzerland and Italy for consultations with European allies on national security and economic matters. White House photo by David Bohrer
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Medal History
