SENATOR COLLINS NAMED TO REPRESENT U.S. AT FUNERAL OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins has been named a member of the Senate delegation that will travel to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The delegation, which includes a total of 14 Senators, will depart from Washington, DC Wednesday evening and return late Friday evening.

"It is a high honor to be part of the delegation representing the United States at the Pope's funeral," said Senator Collins. "His remarkable courage, deep faith and enduring belief in redemption were an inspiration to people of all faiths. He was an extraordinary individual who had a profound impact on world events," she added.

"One of the highlights of my life was my opportunity to meet him when I traveled to the Vatican in 2001 to present him with a Congressional gold medal. I feel blessed to be able to travel to Rome to pay final respects to this great leader."

Also included in the delegation trip to Rome are Senators Frist, Biden, Bunning, DeWine, Dodd, Domenici, Durbin, Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, Martinez, Mikulski, and Santorum.

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