[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. EDWARD LEYDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. Edward 
Leyden for his 33 years of outstanding service to Bishop Lynch High 
School and his community.
   Mr. Leyden was hired in 1982 as the school's first lay president 
during a time of transition and uncertainty with a struggling school 
enrollment. Mr. Leyden immediately began working to make the school a 
better place, and he hasn't stopped since.
   Thanks to Mr. Leyden's years of hard work and dedication, the 
school's student population has more than doubled in size and the 
campus has undergone numerous expansion and improvement projects. 
Shortly after Mr. Leyden's arrival, the school received the first of 
two National Blue Ribbon Awards--an honor given by the U.S. Department 
of Education to recognize schools of exemplary academic achievement. 
While he points to the prestigious award for the school's success, many 
believe the credit goes to Mr. Leyden's leadership and open door 
policy.
   Under Mr. Leyden's leadership, the school--once primarily attended 
by East Dallas pupils--now has students from all parts of the city--
from Frisco to Plano and Oak Cliff to Northwest Dallas. A performing 
arts center was built, science wing, arts and athletics complex, and 
other renovation projects all have come to completion thanks to Mr. 
Leyden's vision and dedication to making Bishop Lynch an exemplary 
place for students to learn.
   Mr. Leyden has achieved much in his life. A graduate of St. Edward's 
University in Austin, Texas and Barry University in Miami, Florida, he 
was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Dallas in 2006; was the 
Catholic Foundation Award honoree in 2015; received the Bishop Lynch 
JFK award for service; is a member of St. Edward's University Board of 
Trustees and the advisory committee for Ferguson Road Initiative. He 
has been in Catholic education for more than 50 years and has presided 
over 33 graduation ceremonies, but if you ask Mr. Leyden what he 
considers his greatest accomplishment, he will say that he is leaving 
the school a better place than he found it.
   This month, Mr. Leyden will retire from his career in education. 
While his time as an educator has come to an end, the results of his 
hard work will no doubt continue to be seen for generations to come.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth District of Texas, I am honored 
to recognize Mr. Edward Leyden for his devotion to education and for 
helping to shape a brighter future for our community and our country.

                          ____________________