[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25292-25293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF PAUL VI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the 
20th anniversary of Paul VI Catholic High School on October 12, 2003.
  Since opening in September 1983, Paul VI has been committed to 
graduating well-educated, responsible, and moral young adults. The 
Diocese of Arlington purchased the old 1934 Fairfax High School 
building to be administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales 
according to the teachings of the Gospel of St. Francis de Sales. Paul 
VI quickly established an excellent academic reputation, helping it 
grow to its 1,200-student capacity; yet it is especially important to 
note that the school's mission extends far beyond academia. Faith, 
outreach, and extracurricular activity also have helped make Paul VI a 
unique, popular, and admired school community.
  Spiritually, students are supported by an active Campus Ministry 
program which offers Masses, liturgies, and retreats, as well as 
opportunities for students to meet in healthy social situations. As 
many as 100 students a year have signed up to be part of the Campus 
Ministry Team, known for planning activities such as World Hunger Day 
in order to better empathize with others.
  Service plays an equally large role at Paul VI. In 1999, the school 
was recognized as one of only three Virginia Service Learning Leader 
Schools. Freshmen and sophomores are required to donate time to helping 
their school, parish, or community. Juniors and seniors must choose a 
volunteer project of direct service to the poor, homeless, elderly, or 
dispossessed. In addition, senior government classes encourage students 
to volunteer for political candidates and become responsible American 
citizens.
  Paul VI also has taken a leading role nationally as one of the first 
three Catholic schools in the nation with a program of modified 
inclusion for developmentally disabled high school students. Through 
another unique program, Paul VI students became the first high school 
students ever allowed to work with hospice patients in the Washington, 
DC, area. In a pilot program run by Hospice of Northern Virginia, 
seniors taking the Paul VI Death and Dying class are paired with 
Hospice patients to establish relationships and compile life histories 
for patients and their families.
  Many clubs, sports teams and student organizations add yet another 
dimension to life at Paul VI. The school newspaper, yearbook, and 
literary magazine are rated in top categories among scholastic 
publications. Paul VI offers a successful athletic program with a 
number of sports teams and an extensive intramural program. Both girls 
and boys cross-country teams have won state championships; girls 
volleyball won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference 
championships the past 4 years, and boys basketball won the WCAC title 
in 2003. Students at Paul VI also select a different charity each year 
to support. Their pledges greatly have helped organizations such as the 
Hospice of Northern Virginia, the Northern Virginia Training Center, 
and the American Heart Association.

[[Page 25293]]

  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to congratulate Paul VI 
Catholic High School on 20 years of excellence. With its alumni 
spanning the far comers of the world involved in the Peace Corps and 
armed services and holding a variety of other noble positions, Paul VI 
seems to be living out the words of its patron, Saint Francis de Sales, 
``Do Ordinary Things Extraordinarily Well.'' I call upon my colleagues 
to join me in applauding the Paul VI and its dedicated administration, 
faculty, staff, and students.

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