Trent Franks: “we are here to honor the life and legacy of Pope John Paul II, and I am joined by several of our colleagues here…”

“we are here to honor the life and legacy of Pope John Paul II, and I am joined by several of our colleagues here tonight. Mr. Speaker, we often get materials and letters from our constituencies, and sometimes even from other States. Although I represent Arizona, a close friend of mine from California, Kevin Rishell, wrote us a poem today related to Pope John Paul II, and it seemed appropriate to read. So I am going to start with that: ``Pope John Paul II. A man of simple convictions, A man of great love and peace; A father to the nations, A friend now at last released. Into the arms of his beloved Savior; Into history, With God's tender favor. `Well done' faithful servant, Echoes 'cross Heaven's portals; As John Paul is welcomed, By friends and other immortals. His life was a service to God, And to his neighbors; To the weak and to the poor, And dearly loved unbelievers. For he believed that all life, Had a godly purpose; That all life was special, And that God was never spurious. For he understood clearly, The vain rantings of men; How popular their wisdom, Seemed to change with the wind. But he held true to his course, In the most turbulent times; With God's Word as his pilot, And the Holy Spirit as his guide. In faith, he stood against evil, When it could have cost him his life; And for decades and more, He fought for what was right. For God was his center, And Jesus was his friend; And the Comforter never left him, From birth to honored end.”