[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21562-21563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    HONORING SISTER BRIGID DRISCOLL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Brigid 
Driscoll for a lifetime of service and commitment to education. Sister 
Brigid has pledged her life's work to furthering educational 
opportunity, especially for young women. She began her career at 
Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York as a mathematics professor, 
and later became Academic Dean and Director of Continuing Education. In 
June, she retired from her twenty year post as President of Marymount 
College.
  I was moved to recognize the great accomplishments of Sister Brigid 
because she has been an important force in my life. Marymount College 
is my alma mater. Sister Brigid served as an advisor in my residence 
hall, Gailhac Hall, where her wisdom and guidance were often sought by 
myself and the other young women in the hall. Sister Brigid was the 
kind of leader who tested the will of the young women like myself. Back 
in those days, we all thought we knew everything. As we pushed the edge 
of the envelope, Sister Brigid pushed us right back. Sister Brigid was 
very familiar with some of the antics college women are inclined to 
participate in. One memorable evening, after a fire started in the 
lounge of Gailhac Hall, some of us went to alert Sister Brigid, 
however, it was the night before April Fools Day and she laughed it 
off, telling us to just ``put it out.'' After a few more minutes, when 
she began to smell the smoke herself, she burst out of her room, 
complete with her

[[Page 21563]]

elaborate habit, and helped us carry the burning couch out to the 
patio. Clearly, Sister Brigid was developing her crisis management 
skills as she led the young women of Gailhac Hall.
  She challenged us, while still allowing us to think for ourselves and 
determine our own path. She inspired those around her to work harder 
and strive to reach our fullest potential. Through her example, she 
instilled in us the virtues of public service. Sister Brigid 
demonstrated to us a lifetime commitment to furthering the ideals one 
holds dear and that, indeed, a woman is capable of achieving anything.
  As the leader of Marymount College, a liberal arts college for women, 
she sought to provide a rich educational environment where women are 
encouraged to lead and learn. As an ardent proponent of state and 
financial federal assistance, and the Director of the National 
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the New York 
State Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities, she has 
worked tirelessly to promote the benefits of private institutions of 
higher learning, and to increase access for young people of all 
backgrounds.
  Private colleges and universities have been the choice of Sister 
Brigid's own educational foundation. She earned a Bachelor's degree in 
Mathematics from Marymount Manhattan College, a Master's degree from 
Catholic University, and a PhD in Mathematics from City University of 
New York. This year, in recognition of her distinguished service to the 
school, Marymount College bestowed on her the Honorary Degree of Doctor 
of Humane Letters.
  Sister Brigid is truly an educational visionary. In 1975, she founded 
the Weekend College at Marymount College. It was the first full 
Bachelor's Degree program in the area for working adults. She 
recognized that her community needed higher education that was 
accessible and convenient for working men and women. Because of her, 
hundreds of adults have earned their college degrees, and have 
accomplished what may have been a distant goal at one time. Many people 
see problems, Sister Brigid is the kind of woman who creates solutions.
  All who have worked with Sister Brigid are amazed at her endless 
energy. She is active in numerous community organizations, serving on 
the Boards of First American Bankshares, Inc. and The Westchester 
County Association. She is a member of the exclusive Women's Forum, a 
group of 300 leading women in the New York arts and business forum. She 
has also served on past boards of the Statute of Liberty/Ellis Island 
Commission, the United Way of America Second Century Initiative, the 
National Board of Girl Scouts USA, and the Axe-Houghton Funds.
  Although Sister Brigid has retired, those of us who know her can tell 
you she is not finished with her work yet. She will continue to use her 
talents and experience for projects which focus on furthering the 
progress of education for women. I am proud to stand here today to 
honor one of my earliest role models. I join with her friends, 
colleagues, and students to thank her for her years of service and wish 
her a very happy and healthy retirement.

                          ____________________