[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SISTER FRANCESCA ONLEY

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                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an 
exceptional educator and leader in the Northeast Philadelphia 
community. Sister Francesca Onley has been the guiding hand at Holy 
Family University, a fully accredited Catholic University in Northeast 
Philadelphia, for 25 years. Holy Family University celebrated Sister 
Francesca's year tenure on Thursday, November 29, 2007, at a Silver 
Anniversary event, with the proceeds designated to establish an endowed 
scholarship in her honor.
  Under Sister Francesca's leadership, Holy Family attained university 
status, created an endowment where there was none, added 2 additional 
campuses, and substantially increased the number of full-time students. 
More recently, under Sister Francesca's direction, the University 
completed an education technology building, housing some of the latest 
technologies for preparing future teachers, including adaptive 
technology to help integrate disabled students into the regular 
classroom.
  Sister Francesca recently accepted the invitation of the University's 
Board of Directors to continue as President through 2011. She 
attributes her success to the fact that she relies upon simple rules of 
leadership about economy, timely goals and delivering what you say you 
will deliver, on time! As a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth, 
Sister Francesca does not receive a salary for her work as university 
president.
  Sister Francesca Onley grew up in the Mayfair section of 
Philadelphia, not far from the Holy Family campus. She graduated from 
Nazareth Academy High School, later becoming its principal. She earned 
her bachelor's degree in education and business, as well as a doctorate 
in higher education administration from Holy Family.
  Sister Francesca serves as chairperson of the International 
Association of University Professors--UN Commission on Disarmament 
Education, Conflict Resolution and Peace. That organization's mission 
is to institutionalize peace education in universities around the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Sister Francesca Onley for her years of service to Holy Family 
University, her devotion to education and innovation, and her efforts 
to promote peace.

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