[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 157 (Monday, October 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1537-E1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL, A BLUE RIBBON 
                                 SCHOOL

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2015

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an 
outstanding school in my district that is being honored as a 2015 
National Blue Ribbon School. It is a pleasure to congratulate Our Lady 
of Mount Carmel Catholic School in Carmel, Indiana in celebration of 
this special occasion.
  The National Blue Ribbon designation, given by the United States 
Department of Education, is awarded to both public and private schools 
across our great nation. Started by President Reagan and given annually 
since 1982, the award celebrates great American schools that achieve 
very high learning standards or are making significant improvements in 
the academic achievements of their students. In my district and across 
the country, the award recognizes the great educators, students, and 
parents who have worked so hard to ensure Indiana's children reach 
their full potential and achieve academic success.
  For all of these reasons and many more, I am so proud that Our Lady 
of Mount Carmel Catholic School is receiving this prestigious 
designation. It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the school's 
commitment to providing young Hoosiers an exceptional education. While 
hundreds of schools nationwide were nominated, only 335 schools were 
designated as 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Of the 335 schools, 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel was 1 of 50 private schools to receive 
recognition, making this recognition all the more impressive.
  Serving children from kindergarten through eighth grade, Our Lady of 
Mount Carmel Catholic School provides its students with an outstanding 
education in both academics and the Catholic faith. It is a Four Star 
School, awarded by the state of Indiana. The school achieved this 
designation by placing in the top 25th percentile of schools in three 
ISTEP-based categories. Our Lady consistently provides excellence in 
education by facilitating a Christ-centered educational community that 
creates a vibrant learning community, provides opportunities to serve 
others, and prepares students for lifelong learning. As a mother whose 
children attended Catholic school, I applaud Our Lady of Mount Carmel 
Catholic School for its work to ensure its students engage in 
significant acts of community service and remain dedicated to carrying 
out the mission of Jesus Christ.
  As an advocate for education and youth, I also want to acknowledge 
how important it is to our nation's future to encourage and raise a new 
generation of Americans who have the skills and knowledge to succeed 
both in and out of the classroom. Students like those at Our Lady of 
Mount Carmel Catholic School give me hope that we will accomplish this 
vital mission. Their outstanding work is an inspiration to students, 
educators, and parents across the nation. Once again, congratulations 
to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School. I am very proud of you.

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