[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL

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                            HON. JOE GARCIA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2013

  Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special school 
in the congressional district that I am honored to represent. For 55 
years, Christopher Columbus High School has instilled in its students 
strong values and served South Florida as an institution of academic 
excellence and athletic achievement. Columbus has educated thousands of 
fine young men and community leaders, including my brothers, some of my 
close friends and members of my staff.
  Established in 1958 in the spirit of St. Marcellin Champagnat, 
founder of the Marist Brothers, Columbus' teachers and staff work 
tirelessly so that its students can achieve their full potential across 
every facet of their lives.
  Columbus Explorers excel both inside and outside of the classroom. 
The school's award-winning academic curriculum is tailored to meet the 
individual needs of its students and equips them with the tools they 
need to lead successful lives. It also boasts an athletic program that 
competes across 15 different sports and has earned dozens of district 
and state championships.
  Columbus works to develop young men of good social conscience and 
social responsibility, offering its students daily morning masses, 
weekly youth group meetings and opportunities for community service.
  Among Columbus' alumni are some of America's leading entrepreneurs, 
elected officials, distinguished scientists and doctors, professional 
athletes, high ranking officers in our armed forces, a Pulitzer Prize 
winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and the poet at the 
2013 inauguration of President Barack Obama.
  Mr. Speaker, for all of the achievements that I have cited and those 
that time constraints do not allow me to list, I ask that my colleagues 
join me in honoring Christopher Columbus High School. It is only 
fitting that Columbus' motto be Adelante, for this school has certainly 
been moving South Florida and America forward for over half a century.

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