[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

  Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 39, and 
especially in support of the work being done in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 
Bishop Dwenger High School.
  According to the 1972 statement by National Conference of Catholic 
Bishops: ``The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be 
directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the 
individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, but 
also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives.''
  Madam Speaker, Bishop Dwenger has been improving the Fort Wayne 
community since it welcomed over 200 students in the fall of 1963. They 
now enroll over 1,100 students and the school has accumulated an 
impressive list of both academic and athletic accomplishments.
  In 2004, the Department of Education recognized Bishop Dwenger as a 
No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School, an accomplishment that places 
them among the top 10 percent of schools nationwide. Two years later, 
Bishop Dwenger was recognized as one of the top 50 Catholic schools in 
the nation.
  The school's drive for excellence goes beyond the classroom. Madam 
Speaker, the students are involved in community service activities to 
fulfill the school's commitment ``to social awareness through service 
to others.'' With over 80 percent of Dwenger students involved in at 
least one extracurricular activity, they have won state championships 
in football, gymnastics, Spell Bowl and more.
  In an increasingly competitive economic environment, a quality 
education is a prerequisite for future success. Madam Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in support of Bishop Dwenger and Catholic schools 
across the country. These institutions are essential in preparing well-
rounded individuals who will be among the future leaders of our 
country.

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