[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING SAINT MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL ON BEING NAMED A 2019 
                      NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

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                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2019

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, l rise today to congratulate 
an outstanding school in my district that is being honored as a 2019 
National Blue Ribbon School. I am delighted to congratulate Saint Maria 
Goretti School in Westfield, Indiana, for the second time since I've 
been in Congress, in celebration of this special occasion.
  Started by President Reagan in 1982, the United States Department of 
Education awards the National Blue Ribbon designation to both public 
and private schools across our great nation. The award celebrates great 
American schools like Saint Maria Goretti that achieve very high 
learning standards or are making significant improvements in the 
academic achievements of their students. Throughout the country this 
award is given to recognize the upper echelon of educational 
institutions, that through the dedication and passion of their amazing 
educators, students, and parents have strived to ensure that every 
student reaches their full potential and maximizes their academic 
success.
  Having previously received this prestigious award in 2013, the 
Fighting Angels of Saint Maria Goretti School have shown just how deep 
the commitment to excellence is ingrained in their staff, faculty, 
parents and student body. This honor is a wonderful acknowledgement of 
the school's commitment to providing its students with an exceptional 
education. While hundreds of schools nationwide were nominated, only 
362 schools were designated as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Of 
the 362 schools, Saint Maria Goretti School was one of 12 Indiana 
schools to receive recognition, making this achievement all the more 
impressive. Under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Lafayette and the 
leadership of Principal Vince Barnes, Saint Maria Goretti School has 
become a beacon of educational excellence.
  Saint Maria Goretti School is committed to providing a nurturing 
environment for the intellectual, physical, and social development of 
each child. As a Catholic institution the clergy and staff work 
diligently with students to provide an excellent education, focusing on 
the spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical well-being of each 
child. This commitment to the well-being and development of the student 
body is led by a dynamic staff of teachers, working to shape the future 
by the lives they are positively influencing in their classrooms daily. 
The dedicated staff at Saint Maria Goretti School engages students in 
meaningful educational tasks that promote thinking and reasoning and it 
is because of their hard work that Saint Maria Goretti School has been 
deservedly honored with this Blue Ribbon Award.
  As an advocate for education and youth, I have great respect and 
admiration for our nation's educators and their mission to provide the 
students of this great nation with the strong academic foundation 
critical to future success. Schools like Saint Maria Goretti School are 
an example of how we accomplish this vital mission. The outstanding 
educational techniques developed at Saint Maria Goretti School should 
stand as a model for school districts throughout the nation. The 
commitment to excellence from the students, parents and educators at 
Saint Maria Goretti School has transformed the school into a beacon of 
educational achievement. Once again, congratulations to Saint Maria 
Goretti School. I am very proud of them.

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