[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 99 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1216-E1217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY ON GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 1996

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, with honor and appreciation, I commend 
the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina in Guam on their 50th 
anniversary of dedicated and loving service to the people of Guam and 
the Northern Marianas. The renown of the Sisters of Mercy reaches 
beyond their reputation as teachers and school administrators on Guam, 
Saipan, and Rota. Today, their esteemed standing in their Mariana 
Islands can also be attributed to the quality of performance 
exemplified in their pastoral, family, youth, and health-care 
ministries.
  The Catholic school system envisioned by His Excellency, the late 
Apollinaris W. Baumgartner, bishop of Guam, has flourished strikingly 
since its establishment in the years following World War II, and in 
these efforts to better the educational upbringing of Guam's children, 
the Sisters of Mercy have played a prominent role. Since the 
establishment of the Academy of Our Lady in 1994 by Sister Mary Inez, 
R.S.M.--my aunt Mary Essie Underwood--the list of Mercy-run schools has 
expanded to include Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School, in Santa 
Barbara School, St.

[[Page E1217]]

Anthony School, Mt. Carmel School in Saipan, San Francisco de Borja 
School in Rota, Infant of Prague Nursery, and Mercy Heights Nursery. 
The depth of the commitment of the Sisters of Mercy can hardly be 
represented by an inventory of accomplishments; rather, it is in their 
ceaseless dedication to the promotion of Christian values which 
characterizes their legacy in our fortunate islands.
  I happily join with the people of Guam in sending best wishes and a 
heartfelt Si Yu'os ma'ase. May your jubilee celebration be blessed by 
the graces of Santa Marian Kamalen.

                          ____________________