[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 6258] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]WELCOMING THE POPE'S VISIT AND HOPING IT WILL FURTHER THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA ______ HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL of new york in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to warmly and reverently welcome Pope Joseph Alois Ratzinger to the United States-- making his stay at our esteemed capital, the District of Columbia, as well as my home State of New York. This country boasts a strong Catholic tradition, home to the third-largest Catholic population in the world at approximately 66 million followers, and has generated a fount of enthusiasm at this, his first visit to American soil as Pope. The 265th reigning Pope will hold mass at the Nationals and Yankee stadiums, meet with the President at the White House, address the United Nations, and pray at the Ground Zero site in lower Manhattan. May he enjoy a safe and spiritually fulfilling trip. It is my wish that this Pope's commitment to progressive causes-- prime among them the proliferation of peace and socioeconomic justice-- ignites that noteworthy agenda in this country. He has called for peaceful resolutions to global conflicts, publicly expressing his conscientious opposition to the war in Iraq, and has bravely noted that all are entitled to at least the bare necessities of life: A roof overhead, food for nourishment, access to medicines. These are basic human rights and entitlements that ought to be made sacrosanct in our society. ____________________