[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE VISITATION SCHOOL

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                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, Visitation School has been a presence in 
the Kingsbridge community since its inception in 1932, and was approved 
by the Archdiocese of New York in 1928, under the direction of the 
first pastor, Monsignor Stafford.
  Visitation School was initially staffed by the Sisters of Charity; 
their motherhouse was and remains today on the grounds of the College 
of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.
  The first Principal of Visitation was Sister Mary Angelita Meiswinkle 
of the Sisters of Charity, who was principal from 1932 to 1949. She set 
the firm foundation for this Roman Catholic elementary school that 
continues to flourish as we celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary.
  In 1980 the current principal, Sr. Rosemarie Connell, was appointed. 
She oversaw a time of sweeping change, with an emphasis on strong 
religious principles, discipline, and a commitment to academic 
excellence. In her long tenure, she has created and maintained a 
dedicated and experienced teaching staff made up of Catholic laypersons 
and religious sisters representing several communities, including the 
Sisters of Charity, Sparkill Dominican Sisters, and School Sisters of 
Notre Dame.
  She established a full-time kindergarten; weekly computer classes for 
kindergarten through grade eight; high school advanced-placement 
programs for math and Spanish; science lab; a state-of-the-art computer 
lab; and the institution of an after school program.
  In 1995, the New York City Council recognized her for her 
``continuing dedication and service to the education and improvement of 
the lives of Bronx children and their families.'' In the year 2000, she 
received the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Compassionate Educator Award for 
her years of service to children in the Archdiocese of New York.
  For 75 years, the Kingsbridge community has benefited from the 
presence of Visitation School as it continues its great legacy of faith 
and determination to deliver a quality Catholic education to children 
in the community. Visitation School remains a rare place where mind, 
heart, and spirit grow in grace and strive for excellence.

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