[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SISTER JEANNETTE MURRAY

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and 
legacy of Sister Jeannette Murray, Order of Saint Benedict, who 
cofounded the Benedictine School in Ridgely, MD. According to Sister 
Jeannette, it has always been her lifetime dream to provide a complete 
and total program that will meet the needs of individuals with 
developmental disabilities. She has more than accomplished that goal. 
The Sisters of St. Benedict recognized the need for a school that would 
educate children and young adults with developmental disabilities and 
established the Benedictine School in 1959 with 19 students. Since that 
time, the school has provided comprehensive services for more than 
1,000 individuals, including those with no meaningful family support. 
In 2009, the Benedictine School celebrated 50 years as a nationally 
recognized, accredited, and cost-effective living and learning 
environment for children and adults with developmental disabilities. 
Most recently, Sister Jeannette led the charge for the school's 
therapeutic aquatic center, spearheaded a $10 million campaign for 
capital projects and endowments, and challenged the community to 
realize her dream of providing 24/7 care for aging loved ones. In April 
2012, the Benedictine School broke ground for Senior Homes, ``universal 
design'' homes for seniors with disabilities that will offer around-
the-clock care.
  Earlier this year, Sister Jeannette retired as executive director of 
Benedictine School, and on June 24 she is being honored by the 
community--donors, students, residents, civic and community leaders--
for her work on behalf of the developmentally disabled. Sister 
Jeannette has made a tremendous difference in the lives of her students 
and their families and to all who hear and believe in her work. Her 
dream has benefitted not only her students and their families but also 
the larger community.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in thanking Sister Jeannette 
Murray--the ``little woman with the huge heart'' as the parents of her 
students call her--for her vision, dedication, and service and in 
wishing her well in her retirement as she continues to inspire others 
to share her vision ``to see people with developmental disabilities 
living meaningful, personally satisfying and well supported lives in 
the community of their choice.''

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