[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HILL-MURRAY

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the students, 
alumni, parents, faculty and staff of Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, 
Minnesota on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. This educational 
institution has a distinguished record on academics, community 
involvement and athletic success.
  Archbishop Murray Memorial high school was founded in 1958 by the 
Benedictine Sisters as a school for young women. In 1959, just a few 
blocks down the street, the Christian Brothers founded the Hill High 
School as a school for boys. Classes officially began in both schools 
in 1951, and in 1971 the schools merged and the Hill-Murray School was 
born.
  During the past 50 years, Hill-Murray has strived for excellence in 
all areas. Its mission statement declares the school ``is committed to 
developing creative and responsible leaders for tomorrow's world who 
will provide effective moral leadership in their local and global 
communities''. This charge is reflected in both the school's design and 
its results: from its students, 92% of whom enroll in post-high school 
educational institutions; to its classrooms, where the student-teacher 
ratio is 14:1; and to its teachers 79% of whom hold advanced degrees 
and 80% of whom have more than 5 years of experience.
  Following the school's mission to prepare students not only for 
college but for the broader journey of life, Hill-Murray students in 
grades nine through twelve complete two service requirements per year 
helping the economically disadvantaged, the physically or mentally 
impaired, and the elderly. With its emphasis on developing the entire 
person, 90% of the student body participates in extracurricular 
activities.
  The Hill-Murray athletics department has one of the finest histories 
in the State of Minnesota. In the past 5 years, Hill-Murray teams and 
individual athletes advanced to the Minnesota State Tournament in boys 
and girls basketball, boys and girls track, boys and girls golf, girls 
tennis, competitive cheerleading, and danceline. The boys Hockey team 
is regarded as one of the best in the state, and earned its 3rd State 
Championship in 2008.
  Additionally Hill-Murray has produced 6 National Hockey League 
players, 3 World Hockey Association players, over 70 Division I NCAA 
players; 2 Major League Baseball players, and 3 Olympians including a 
member of the gold-medal winning 1980 U.S. Hockey team responsible for 
the `Miracle on Ice.'
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of all members of the Hill-Murray family, I am 
pleased to submit this statement for the Congressional Record 
recognizing the many contributions this school has made to the State of 
Minnesota and the United States of America during the past 50 years.

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