[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E55-E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today, in honor of Catholic Schools Week 
(January 25-31, 2004), I would like to recognize the contributions of 
Catholic schools to the academic and moral education of children in 
Guam and throughout our nation. Also, I would like to thank my 
colleague, Mr. David Vitter, for his steadfast support of Catholic 
education in our country and for introducing House Resolution 492, 
honoring Catholic Schools Week.
  Guam has a long and rich history of Roman Catholicism dating back to 
the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The island eventually became 
an important stop along the Spanish Galleon Trade Route, eventually 
bringing Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, who was on his way to the 
Philippines, to Guam.
  Padre San Vitores would return to Guam in 1668, with a party of 
missionaries to bring Christianity to the people of Guam. They 
established a mission in the 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 humble beginnings, the Roman Catholic 
faith has continued to grow, expanding its ministries to meet the 
changing needs of the faithful.
  Recognizing the need for quality education rooted in the moral values 
of the Catholic faith, the first Bishop of Guam, Bishop Appollinaris 
Baumgartner invited the Religious Sisters of Mercy from North Carolina, 
the Stigmatine Fathers of Massachusetts, and the School Sisters of 
Notre Dame from Wisconsin to come to Guam where they eventually opened 
schools in villages throughout the island. Today, members of these 
Orders, as well as members of the Dominican, Franciscan, Jesuit, and 
Marist Orders continue to teach our children in the Catholic education 
system.
  Guam's first Chamorro Bishop, Archbishop Felixberto Camacho Flores, 
made Catholic education a priority increasing the number of Catholic 
schools, expanding programs and improving school facilities.
  Today, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hagatna remains committed to 
serving the people of Guam. Under the direction of the Most Reverend 
Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hagatna, 
the Catholic schools on Guam have remained committed to providing a 
quality academic education, grounded in faith and emphasizing service 
to humanity.

[[Page E56]]

  The contributions of the Catholic school system to the people of Guam 
are 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 continue to have positive 
benefits for the people of Guam.
  I would like to recognize and commend the Catholic schools in 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 Ta'i, 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 Ta'i, Maria Artero 
in Hagatna, and Mercy Heights in Tamuning.
  Finally, I want to recognize all the students, parents, teachers and 
administrators of Catholic schools in Guam and across the nation for 
their significant contributions to our society, both inside and outside 
of the classroom.

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