[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING SISTER JEAN McGRATH FOR HER 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2013

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Jean McGrath, 
the principal at St. John Fisher Elementary School in Chicago. For the 
past 50 years, Sister McGrath has tirelessly worked at St. John Fisher 
as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Her work 
has not only benefited the school and the parish, but the entire 
community. This month, Sister Jean--as she is affectionately called--
was honored with a celebratory Mass and a street marked with an 
honorary sign bearing her name.
   In 1963, Jean McGrath joined the Congregation of the Sisters of St. 
Joseph. She joined because she ``wanted to be somebody who could do 
good'' and ``make a difference.'' Sister McGrath continued to make an 
impact when she began working as a second-grade teacher at St. John 
Fisher in 1986, just blocks away from her childhood home. Even as other 
nuns who she entered the congregation with left to pursue family and 
life outside the church, she followed her mother's advice to pursue her 
vocation and serve the community.
   When Sister McGrath started at St. John Fisher, she was one of 
eleven nuns serving on the staff, today she is the only one left. After 
almost three decades working as a second-grade teacher, high school 
English teacher and in her current role as principal, Sister McGrath 
continues to guide and counsel students, teachers, and families with 
the same passion that inspired her to join the congregation a half 
century ago. This passion has been a fundamental reason why St. John 
Fisher Elementary School has flourished during the past 27 years.
   During her time as principal, Sister Jean has succeeded in 
developing a new technology program, and created exemplary art and 
music programs to foster her students' creative minds. Throughout all 
the changes St. John Fisher has seen during her tenure, Sister Jean's 
welcoming and inspiring spirit has remained a constant.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sister 
Jean McGrath for her 50 years of service to the South Side of Chicago 
and congratulate Sister Jean on her Golden Jubilee. May she continue to 
guide and inspire people for years to come, and serve as an example of 
the best qualities of the human heart.

                          ____________________