[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 50 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E662-E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING FRED FRERES FOR HIS RETIREMENT FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH 
                                 SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 7, 2011

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. Fred Freres after 
learning of his upcoming retirement after thirty nine years of teaching 
at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
  A native of Chicago, Fred moved to Memphis to attend what was then 
called Christian Brothers College where he became the first person in 
his family to attend college and received his degree in History in 
1970. A decade later he would receive his Masters in Political Science 
from Memphis State University.
  That same year he married his college sweetheart, Cathy, and went to 
work selling insurance to support his new family. His dream to teach 
and inspire young people proved unflappable and his opportunity came in 
August, 1972 at Christian Brothers High School teaching in the history 
department--a department he would later chair.
  Due to his passion for teaching and his tireless efforts at 
coordinating numerous extra-curricular activities, Fred became an 
integral part of the CBHS family. Participants in organizations such as 
the Key Club, the Organization for Young Political Scientists, the 
LaSallian Development Committee, and the National Honor Society 
Committee found a tireless mentor and advocate. Fred even worked as the 
baseball and basketball announcer for five years and coached the Cross 
Country team for three years.
  As I read an article in the CBHS newsletter about Fred, I was moved 
by a quote where he used the word ``vocation'' to describe his 
profession--and that part of that vocation was inspiring the young men 
he taught, ``to become good citizens, not just interested in what's 
happening in their community, nation and world, but have a positive 
impact on their world.''

[[Page E663]]

  Mr. Speaker, now more than ever the nation is in need of teachers who 
inspire young people to become active participants in our democracy and 
dedicate significant portions of their lives to public service. Fred 
Freres has done just that over his thirty nine years in the classroom. 
Proof of this can be found right here on Capitol Hill, where numerous 
``Brother's Boys'' have worked over the years after having been 
encouraged by Fred Freres.
  I wish Fred and Cathy nothing but the best for their future and hope 
that they get to spend more time with one another and their three 
daughters, Catie, Julie and Annie as well as their two grandchildren--
Hailey and Clara. And if he gets really lucky Mr. Speaker, he might 
even live long enough to see his beloved Chicago Cubs win the World 
Series.
  Thank you Fred Freres for the dedication to your vocation, service to 
your community and inspiration you have provided to your students over 
the course of your career.

                          ____________________