[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF MICHAEL J. BENNETT'S 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ST. MARK'S 
                            SCHOOL OF TEXAS

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                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2005

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michael J. 
Bennett's 40 years of teaching at St. Mark's School of Texas. I am 
proud to represent St. Mark's in the 32nd Congressional District of 
Texas.
  Born four months before the German Blitz, Michael Bennett grew up 
``in the East End of London, not the rich part, but the tough part.'' 
He attended the East Ham Grammar School for Boys where he skipped his 
fifth year. As a ``Sixth Former'' or Senior, he was expected to 
specialize in an academic area to prepare for the demanding A Level 
exams. His father, understanding the importance technology would play 
in revitalizing post-war England, suggested he study Science. But as 
Michael recalled, while in Science class one day the Headmaster said `` 
`This is not the place for you . . .' and he was right . . . I chose 
the Classics and that has made all the difference.''
  Michael passed his A Levels and was awarded a scholarship to study at 
Christ Church, Oxford where he studied Classics and graduated with 
honors, earning both a B.A. and M.A. He would later earn another 
Master's Degree from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury 
College. Michael has also studied at the Vergilian Society School at 
Cumae.
  At the age of 22, he joined the faculty of the St. Andrew's School in 
Middletown, DE as teacher, debate coach, and Head of the Classics 
Department. Three years later, in 1965, he came to St. Mark's. During 
his tenure at St. Mark's he has taught Latin, Greek, English, Debate 
and Fine Arts. He served as advisor for the Trivia Club, the Film 
Society, and the Junior Classical League. He was a member of the 
Curriculum Study Group and founded the Classical Society that presented 
plays in Latin by Roman playwrights Plautus and Terrence. In addition 
to teaching Latin, he currently serves as Senior Master, Chairman of 
the Faculty Advisory Committee, Latin Club Sponsor, Chairman of the 
John H. Murrell Awards Committee, Seventh Grade Class Sponsor, and 
President of Cum Laude. Outside school, he is the Opera critic for 
Northside People.
  Michael is married to Dena, a freelance writer. He has two children. 
Sarah lives in Tacoma, WA where she is a child and family counselor. 
His son Paul, an alumnus from the Class of 1980 from St. Mark's is an 
attorney who lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife and three children, 
Jeffrey, Allison and Annie. Michael proudly notes that grandson Jeffrey 
is a straight ``A'' student in his Latin class.
  I would like to extend my sincere congrats to Michael and his family 
on this great occasion and wish him additional success as he continues 
to teach at St. Mark's.

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