[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8779]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE PARISH

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                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 75th 
Anniversary of St. Bellarmine Parish in Jefferson Park, Illinois. I am 
proud of the continuous support and inspiration this parish has 
provided to the people of Jefferson Park for the past 75 years, and I 
would like to thank the parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish 
for their dedicated service.
  St. Robert Bellarmine has served as an essential part of the 
surrounding community since 1930, when a group of dedicated 
parishioners joined with Father Gillespie to celebrate the parish's 
first Mass in the auditorium of Prussing Public School.
  Church and school buildings were constructed in 1931 to house the 
parish, and the church became an anchor for the community and a beacon 
of hope for its parishioners.
  Today, St. Robert Bellarmine continues to inspire the Jefferson Park 
community under the exceptional leadership of Father Michael Goergen. 
This parish provides a prime example of what can be accomplished when 
we work together for the common good.
  The 1,700 families that make up the parish create a welcoming and 
service-oriented community. Church activities such as the Stretch 
Program help needy members of the parish, adding to St. Robert 
Bellarmine's impressive history of donating time, talent, and resources 
to the community.
  The 390 students at St. Robert Bellarmine school receive an excellent 
and well rounded education, with the active participation of the 
Parents Association in extracurricular programs.
  Now as St. Robert Bellarmine Parish celebrates its 75th anniversary, 
I ask my colleagues to take a moment and recognize the importance of 
places like St. Robert Bellarmine in communities all across America.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine 
on the first 75 years of their parish, and I wish them continued 
success and inspiration in serving their community in the coming years.

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