[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 9 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 1, 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2000

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 409 which honors the contributions of Catholic schools.
  As the delegate from Guam, it gives me great pleasure to speak in 
support of this resolution. Guam has a long and rich history of 
Catholicism since the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1668. There 
are ten Catholic schools in Guam, serving thousands of families. In 
fact, three of my five children have attended Catholic schools on Guam. 
Moreover, nearly half of my staff are graduates of the Catholic school 
system.
  Catholic schools provide a valuable education to more than 2.5 
million of our nation's student population. Catholic schools often 
provide a broad value-added, education and shape the life long 
development of moral, intellectual, physical and social values in its 
students.
  Over the years, different kinds of Catholic education has been 
provided in Guam, from the traditional ``eskuelan pale'' (Catechism 
classes, which taught basic literacy in Guam for 275 years) to today's 
modern facilities briefing high quality, challenging education to 
Guam's youth. Today, approximately 4,000 of Guam's children attend 
Catholic schools.
  We have had many religious orders and countless lay teachers provide 
educational guidance and opportunities since the end of World War II 
when a formal Catholic school system was established. The Sisters of 
Mercy, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Dominicans, Franciscans, 
Mercedarians, the Jesuits and the Missionary of Berriz have all served 
to educate Guam's Catholic school children. There are currently ten 
Catholic schools in Guam, including: Notre Dame High School, Academy of 
Our Lady of Guam, Father Duenas Memorial School, Bishop Baumgartner 
Memorial School, Mount Carmel School, Saint Anthony School, Saint 
Francis School, San Vicente School, Santa Barbara School, and Dominican 
School.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Schaffer, for his leadership 
in introducing this resolution and I would like to commend all Catholic 
schools, students, parents, teachers, administrators and Catholic 
Schools Superintendent Sr. Jean Ann Crisostomo in Guam and all Catholic 
schools throughout the nation. Furthermore, I would like to extend my 
congratulations to the Archbishop Antonio Apuron and Archdiocese of 
Hagatna for leadership in providing excellence in education and the 
moral well-being of the children in Guam.
  I strongly urge your support of House Resolution 409.

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