[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL MURPHY, RECIPIENT OF THE ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Michael Murphy, a 
recipient of the prestigious St. Madeleine Sophie Award from Sacred 
Heart Schools. Established in the year 2000, the St. Madeleine Sophie 
Award honors individuals in the Sacred Heart community who have made a 
sustained and significant contribution to the Schools and embody the 
goals and criteria of a Sacred Heart education. The individuals honored 
are selected by a committee comprised of the senior administrative team 
in conjunction with the Chair of the Board of Trustees and are honored 
at a reception and at the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the first all-school 
liturgy of the school year. The recipients will be VIP guests at 
various SHS events throughout the year and featured in their alumni 
magazine, The Heart of the Matter, for their commitment to the mission 
of Sacred Heart education.
  Michael Murphy was chosen along with three other distinguished 
recipients to be recognized with the award for his dedication to the 
goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Michael (Mike) Murphy; 
father of Patrick (SHP 2007), has been teaching at St. Joseph's School 
of the Sacred Heart for 16 years as a middle school teacher. Mr. Murphy 
was also ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of San 
Francisco in 2006. As classroom teacher and deacon, Mr. Murphy has 
provided spiritual guidance for his students while encouraging them to 
examine their spiritual lives. He challenges his students to be aware 
of social justice issues and to engage in service learning. Through 
discipline, humor and hard work, Mr. Murphy makes a difference in the 
lives of his students. He stepped in as interim principal for St. 
Joseph's for the 2007-08 school year and he accepted the role 
graciously and proved an effective leader for a community in need. 
Under his strong leadership, the St. Joseph's community reestablished 
many of its outreach efforts, developed a master plan for new 
construction and began the first year of a five-year strategic plan.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me 
in honoring Michael Murphy as he is recognized by the St. Madeleine 
Sophie Award. Through his many contributions to his family and friends, 
and especially the Sacred Heart community, he has more than earned the 
St. Madeleine Sophie Award through his special leadership and 
commitment to excellence. He has established a lasting legacy at Sacred 
Heart Schools in the life of every student who comes through its 
distinguished halls. Our community and our country have been 
strengthened by Michael Murphy and it is a privilege to honor him and 
his work.

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