[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
492, a resolution honoring the contributions of Catholic schools and 
supporting the goals of Catholic Schools Week.
  The accomplishments of Catholic schools and their tremendous impact 
on students and communities throughout the nation is evident in the 
Fifth Congressional District of Illinois, where schools like St. 
Ferdinand Catholic Elementary, St. Patrick High School, and Notre Dame 
High School for Girls provide a quality education while instilling 
values that will serve their students throughout their lives. These 
schools provide strong academic curriculums and engender significant 
parental involvement. They not only teach students the importance of 
academic achievement, but also provide a balanced perspective on life 
that promotes responsibility, justice and social service.
  Catholic schools also promote ethnic and racial diversity. Increasing 
numbers of children in Catholic schools in my district come from our 
minority communities. Students in Catholic schools achieve 
exceptionally high graduation rates, with increasing numbers advancing 
to higher education and giving back to the community through volunteer 
service.
  It is also important to recognize that the Catholic school experience 
fosters more than just scholastic excellence. It provides spiritual 
guidance to students by encouraging fundamental ideals and an 
appreciation for family values, community service, and faith in their 
own lives. This, in turn, shapes Catholic school students into leaders 
of tomorrow.
  I want to take this opportunity to applaud the recent accomplishments 
of two teachers at a Catholic school in my district--Mother Theodore 
Guerin High School in River Grove, Illinois--who have been recognized 
for their outstanding service to their students and to their community. 
Sister Adelaide Ortegal received the Dr. Nathan Jones Special 
Achievement Award last October. This honor is awarded to educators for 
their outstanding work with African-American students. Sister Ortegal 
has taught Art for thirty years and is the sponsor of the African-
American Club at Mother Guerin.
  I also want to recognize Mary Stephany, a social science teacher at 
Mother Guerin who has been chosen as an Ambassador to Chicago's Field 
Museum for 2003-2004. In this role, Ms. Stephany will be a liaison for 
her school, serve on education advisory committees to the museum, and 
mentor other teachers.
  I thank these two outstanding individuals as well as all of the 
dedicated Catholic school teachers in my district for their love of 
learning and their devotion to their students.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this important resolution and encourage 
Catholic schools in my district and across the United States to 
continue contributing to the development of strong moral, intellectual 
and social values in America's young people. I thank my colleague, 
Representative Vitter, for introducing this resolution, and I thank the 
National Catholic Educational Association and the United States 
Conference of Catholic Bishops for their sponsorship of Catholic 
Schools Week.

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