[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6555-6556]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL ASSOCIATED ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI OF THE SACRED HEART

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the National 
Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart during their 35th 
biennial conference.
  The theme of the conference is ``St. Madeleine Sophie's vision of 
service--living our legacy,'' and a panel discussion will be hosted by 
Barat College. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat was the foundress of the 
Society of the Sacred Heart, and she still is a true inspiration to all 
who seek to follow the call of service.

[[Page 6556]]

  The late Senator Paul Simon was my mentor when I began my political 
career in downstate Illinois. His wife, Jean Hurley Simon, graduated 
from Barat College in 1944. Since I first met Jean, I have had a 
special admiration for those educated in the Sacred Heart tradition.
  The Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart includes over 
51,000 women and men educated in the Sacred Heart schools. Recently, 
Sacred Heart alumni have led efforts to provide relief for people in 
Indonesia effected by the devastating tsunami. Funds raised by Sacred 
Heart alumni have allowed for much-needed health and education programs 
in the region, including interfaith projects to house and lead 
activities for orphaned children.
  Like Senator Simon before me, I have strongly supported higher 
education initiatives and access to professional development training 
for our elementary and secondary teachers. After all, teachers have the 
ability to influence, impact, and shape the citizens of tomorrow.
  I know that my fellow Senators will join me in commending the Sacred 
Heart alumni for their legacy of service. I am confident that this 
proud history and tradition will continue in the spirit of St. 
Madeleine Sophie for years to come.

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