[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 2003

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 26, honoring the contributions of Catholic schools to the 
academic and moral education of children on Guam and throughout our 
nation. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Vitter for 
continuing the important role played by Catholic Schools here in the 
108th congress.
  The tradition of Roman Catholicism on Guam dates back to the arrival 
of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The island eventually became an 
important stop along the Spanish Galleon Trade Route.
  In 1668, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores and his missionaries brought 
Christianity to the people of Guam. They established a mission in 
village of Hagatna which later became the site of the first Catholic 
Church and is now the seat of the Archdiocese of Guam.
  From these seeds, the Catholic faith on Guam has flourished and with 
it, faith-based institutions such as the Catholic School system have 
likewise thrived. Today, in one of the clearest manifestations of this 
tradition, nearly a quarter of Guamanian school children attend 
Catholic schools throughout the Island.
  In the modem era, Bishop Apollinaris Baumgartner established the 
foundations of Guam's Catholic Schools. Guam's first Chamorro Bishop, 
Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores, made Catholic education a priority and 
instilled a tremendous pride in the academic and moral education 
provided by the Catholic schools. His successor, Archbishop Anthony S. 
Apuron has continued the tradition of excellence that has been the 
standard of the Catholic Schools in Guam.
  The contribution of the Catholic school system to the people of Guam 
is reflected in our local leaders in the clergy, government and 
private-sector who are alumni of the Catholic schools. I am confident 
the influence of the Catholic schools will produce Guam's leaders of 
tomorrow.
  I would now like to recognize and commend the Catholic schools on 
Guam for their commitment to instilling the principles of academic 
knowledge and sound moral values in the daily lives of our children. 
Those offering a secondary curriculum include: the Notre Dame High 
School in Talofofo, Father Duenas Memorial School in Tai, and Academy 
of Our Lady of Guam in Hagatna. Additionally, those offering an 
elementary and middle school education include: Bishop Baumgartener 
Memorial School in Sinajana, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Agat, 
St. Anthony School in Tamuning, Saint Francis School in Yona, San 
Vicente School in Barrigada, and Santa Barbara School in Dededo. 
Finally, those offering a nursery school education include: the 
Dominican Child Care Development Center in Sinajana, Infant of Prague 
in Tai, Maria Artero in Hagatna, and Mercy Heights in Tamuning.
  I would also like to recognize the School Sisters of Notre Dame, 
Sisters of Mercy, Dominican Sisters, the religious orders of Capuchins, 
Franciscans, Jesuits and Marists for their service in educating the 
children of Guam. I would also like to commend the Archdiocese of 
Hagatna under the leadership of Archbishop Apuron for its guidance in 
administrating the Catholic Schools on Guam.
  Finally, I want commend all the students, parents, teachers and 
administrators of Catholic schools in Guam and across the nation for 
their contributions to our nation and our world.

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