[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 10 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E86-E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2000

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in strong support of House 
Resolution 409 honoring the Catholic Schools of America for their

[[Page E87]]

invaluable contribution to the education of our children. I understand 
it is the first time such a resolution has been before the House. I 
would like to join my House colleagues in extolling the virtues of 
Catholic educational institutions that have provided consistently 
excellent alternatives to our public school system--even though I am a 
product of our public schools.
  I am proud to represent and participate in a Catholic society as rich 
in culture and heritage as El Paso's. Many products of the Catholic 
education system can be found at all levels of society today, including 
Sister Elizabeth Anne Swartz, Superintendent of the Diocese Schools in 
El Paso, whom I would like to commend for the fine job she is doing. I 
would also like to take a moment to congratulate Bishop Armando X. 
Ochoa on the great job he is doing, too!
  In my district, there are 13 Diocese schools which support 4,607 
students and 300 educators. Most Diocese schools posted enrollment 
increases this year. One school, Father Yermo Elementary School, is 
celebrating its 40th year. Another, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is 
celebrating its 81st year.
  Last Saturday night, I was privileged to attend an event recognizing 
the supporters of Catholic education in El Paso. The organizers of this 
year's ``Supporters of Catholic Education in the El Paso Diocese,'' or 
SEED, Awards were: Marissa Alvarado; Elvia Borrego; Sr. Kathleen 
Corbett, SL; Debra Fraire; Bobbie Hernandez; the Honorable Sue Kurita; 
Manny Lopez; Carmen Montes; Bertha Schachtsneider; Sr. Elizabeth Anne 
Swartz, SSND; Olga Torres; Alfred Torres; and Luis Villalobos. I 
congratulate each and every one of them for all the hard work they put 
into making this event a great success.
  I would also like to recognize the members of the Diocesan Board of 
Education: Sister Elizabeth Anne Swartz, SSND, Superintendent; Manny 
Lopez, President; Adriana Sierra-Loya, Vice-President; Marie Doyle; the 
Honorable Martha ``Sue'' Kurita; Robert Lopez; Rev. Marcus McFadin; 
Mary Alice Szostek; Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Smith; and Luis Villalobos.
  I would like to congratulate the winners of the 2000 SEED awards. 
From Blessed Sacrament, Best Faculty/Staff; Juanita Reyes; Best 
Benefactor/Supporter: Elena Aguirre; Best Volunteer: Kathy Cortez; and 
Best Alumni: James Towle. From Cathedral High School, Best Faculty/
Staff; Luz Ulrickson; Best Benefactor/Supporter: Adrian Martinez; Best 
Volunteer: Menira De La Fuente; and Best Alumni: Jaime Rivera. From 
Father Yermo Elementary, Best Faculty/Staff: Rose Chavez. From Father 
Yermo High School, Best Faculty/Staff: Alfredo Palacio; Best 
Benefactor/Supporter: Yadro Lizardo; Best Volunteer: Mary Lou Vega; and 
Best Alumni: Gladys Saucedo. From Holy Trinity, Best Faculty/Staff: 
Alena VanHouten; Best Benefactor/Supporter: Mark Smith; Best Volunteer; 
Jude Hicks; and Best Alumni: Carlos Sanchez. From Loretto
  And on one final note, as a representative of a largely Catholic 
district, I, too, am concerned about the controversy surrounding the 
selection of a new House Chaplain. The House has never had a Catholic 
Chaplain. Although a bipartisan committee gave Catholic candidate 
Timothy O'Brien the majority of ``first'' rankings, the House 
leadership was unfortunately under no obligation to follow their 
rankings. Instead, the House leadership conducted a final round of 
interviews of the three finalists. The Leadership made their decision 
based upon these interviews, with House minority leader Dick Gephardt 
voting for Mr. O'Brien and Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader Armey 
recommending Charles Wright.
  I believe this controversy exists, at least in part, because everyone 
was not clear on how the selection process would work from the outset. 
Many of my Democratic colleagues and I felt that if the committee had a 
clear consensus on a candidate, as they did on Father O'Brien, then the 
leadership would naturally follow. Others argue that the bipartisan 
committee only functioned to screen candidates, leaving the final 
determination to the leadership. I bear no ill-tidings toward Reverend 
Wright; but I believe we have missed an opportunity here, which is 
unfortunate.

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