[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING VENERINI ACADEMY, WORCHESTER, MA

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                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of an incredible 
school, Venerini Academy, located in my district of Worcester, 
Massachusetts. The mission of the Venerini Sisters in Worcester 
celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and I am proud to recognize 
its many contributions to the community over the last century.
  The school's and order's founder Rosa Venerini was born in Viterbo, 
Italy in 1656. She started the first public school for girls there, 
marking a milestone in the evolution of the education of women. Rosa 
knew the barriers women faced when life choices were limited often to 
marriage and the convent. Her father instilled in her a great respect 
for education and she wanted the same for future women. Rosa came to 
adopt the maxim, ``educate to liberate''.
  In 1713, Rosa opened a school in Rome and Pope Clement XI paid her 
the honor of a visit. The Pope stayed the whole morning in the school 
listening to the class of catechism and asking the students questions. 
At the end of the visit, he called Rosa and her companions; he thanked 
her for their precious work, and said to them: ``I desire that these 
schools spread to all of our cities.'' Within a short time the schools 
opened everywhere, teaching young women to read and other life skills 
such as sewing. By the time of her death in 1728, Rosa Venerini opened 
40 schools across the world.
  In 1909, the movement she started came to the United States, 
establishing its first mission outside Italy on Edward Street in 
Worcester, Massachusetts. Venerini Academy's hallmarks of dedicated 
educators and rigorous programs would become a vital part of the 
community and a model for many other successful missions in countries 
across the globe.
  Madam Speaker, I am certain that the entire House of Representatives 
joins me in honoring and thanking the Venerini Sisters and the Venerini 
Academy for their contributions to our community and the education of 
our children, as well as expressing our hope and confidence in an even 
more accomplished second hundred years.

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