[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 138 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Archbishop Moeller High School Student Government and its moderator 
Brother Robert Flaherty, S.M. The Moeller Student Government is an 
outstanding organization of student leaders at the forefront of youth 
statesmanship.
  Archbishop Moeller High School is a Cincinnati-based all-male 
Catholic high school. It is among America's finest secondary academic 
institutions. Operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the 
school is staffed and assisted by the Society of Mary--the Marianists. 
The school's philosophy is based on the ideas of Father William 
Chaminade, the founder of the Marianist order.
  Moeller has achieved national success in academics and athletics; 
and, in developing the spiritual character of its students. Christian 
values, moral integrity, and a properly trained conscience, combined 
with physical health, intellectual strength, and social responsibility 
define the men of Moeller. The Moeller Student Government is one place 
these characteristics come together and are perfected through 
authentic, meaningful exercises in practical leadership.
  Brother Robert Flaherty has moderated the Moeller Student Government 
for decades. He has shepherded young leaders through character-building 
trials and errors and developed a program that serves more than the 
entire school, but the entire community. Under his tutelage, boys are 
taught the principles necessary in becoming accomplished leaders of 
men. The program raises, budgets, and appropriates considerable funds 
needed to support events and activities designed to develop important 
life skills for the whole school.
  Flaherty is a devoted Marianist brother, a dedicated Christian and a 
great American. He is a compassionate counselor, a professional teacher 
and a trusted, reliable friend to thousands. He has been the constant 
guide in the formation of leadership qualities among Moeller's 
students.
  According to its Constitution, the Moeller Student Government was 
founded in covenant with the school's administration. The student-led 
organization exists to inform the administration of the needs of the 
student body, to provide for the student participation in school 
government, to foster school spirit, to promote the general welfare of 
the students, and, ``in general to further Christianity.''
  Mr. Speaker, as the 1979-80 student-body president of the Moeller 
Student Government, I am proud to recognize this outstanding 
organization for its excellence in leadership and maintenance of 
various traditions that make Moeller High School a first-class 
institution. I am personally grateful for the lessons imparted to me by 
the school's administration and faculty, by my peers, but most of all, 
by Bro. Flaherty. These instructions and accompanying skills clearly 
formed the foundation of my own experiences and prepared me to serve in 
the United States Congress representing the people of the great state 
of Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, the current leadership of the Moeller Student Government 
consists of the following students: President Tony Magner '03, Vice 
President Eric Shatzle '03, Treasurer Matt Takanen '03, Recording 
Secretary Collin Taylor '03, Corresponding Secretary Andy Weisbrod '03, 
and Parliamentarian Jason Rahe '03.
  The Senior Class officers ('03) are President Paul Gruber, Vice 
President Jason Bowman, and Vice President Joe Kimener.
  Junior Class officers ('04) include President Paul Antenucci, Vice 
President Jack Novak, and Vice President Ben Schonhoft.
  Sophomore Class officer ('05) include President Mike Carter, Vice 
President Brian Bailey, and Vice President Matt Tennant.
  Together with an outstanding team of Freshman Class officers, these 
men comprise the top leadership of the Moeller Student Government. They 
are reinforced by other student leaders who represent the homerooms of 
the entire student body constituting the General Assembly, and 
appointed chairmen of various student committees.
  Mr. Speaker, the House has every right to be proud of the Moeller 
High School Student Government, Brother Robert Flaherty and the 
Marianist Community. A splendid example of student leadership and 
Christian statesmanship, the Moeller Student Government is making a 
positive difference in the preparation of the nation's future community 
leaders.
  It is upon the basis of these observations and truths that I hereby 
ask the House to join me in extending warmest congratulations and 
heartiest commendations to Brother Robert Flaherty, the student-leaders 
of the Moeller High School Student Government and the entire Moeller 
family. May they continue to thrive and serve by the blessings of the 
Almighty God of our country.

                          ____________________