[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ON THE OCCASION OF 
                         THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to recognize the 
School Sisters of Notre Dame on Guam who are celebrating their 50th 
anniversary on May 9, 1999. I also extend my congratulations to Sister 
Joseph Ann Quinene, the local regional director, and all the Notre Dame 
Sisters on this very special occasion. Given the success of numerous 
students who have grown in wisdom and knowledge under their tutelage, 
their 50-year presence represents more than simply a measure of time. 
Their commitment to the children of Guam, their dedication to teaching, 
and their strong faith have enriched our island community in ways that 
cannot be measured.
  The School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived on Guam in 1949 as a Mission 
of the Milwaukee Province at St. Francis in Yona. Invited by Rev. 
Bishop Apollinaris Baumgartner and Rev. Father Alvin Lafeir over the 
years, the mission grew to include the establishment of St. Francis 
School in Yona, San Vicente School in Barrigada, Our Lady of Mount 
Carmel in Agat, and the Notre Dame High School in Talofofo. They have 
also provided the opportunity for many young Guamanian women to join 
their mission.
  By the end of their first year on Guam, Guamanian girls became 
candidates for membership in the Notre Dame Sisters family. In August 
of 1955, the first two professed Guamanian Sisters returned to Guam to 
help in the teaching force of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In 
1969, Sister Mary Bernard Unpingco, a native Guamanian, was elected to 
represent the island in Rome, and in 1974, Sister Cecile Marie 
Crisostomo was elected as the first Guamanian Regional Leader. This 
opened other administrative positions for the Guamanian School Sisters 
of Notre Dame. Since 1974, the principals and community leaders have 
been held by local Sisters.
  To assist in their mission on Guam, an Aspiranture was built for 
young girls who were interested in pursuing the life of the School 
Sisters of Notre Dame while finishing their high school. In addition, a 
boarding house was opened at Notre Dame High School for girls from the 
other islands who were interested in finishing high school.
  Following several visitations, the Provincial leaders of the 
Milwaukee Province decided that Guam was ready to carry on the work of 
the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and the Guam District was established 
as a Region of the Milwaukee Province. The Region of Guam, under the 
leadership of the local Sisters, carried the work of Mother Therese 
Cerhardinger to the islands of Rota and Saipan, and today they have 
extended their leadership in education to the islands of Chuuk, Ebeye 
and Yap. In 1977, the Guam Region became a vital unit of the 
International Community when Sister Francine Perez was elected a 
General Councilor of the central governing body of the School Sisters 
of Notre Dame in Rome. It is also with great personal pride that I note 
that my godmother, Sister Carmen Francis Siguenza, is a member of this 
order.
  As a fellow educator, I applaud the record of the School Sisters of 
Notre Dame on their 50th anniversary and thank each and every one of 
them for their diligence and dedication to our children and to Guam. Si 
yo'os ma'ase paro todo i che'cho' miyu para I famagu'on-ta yan it 
taotao-ta guini gi isla-ta.

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