[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16271-16272]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LA ROCHE COLLEGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Black). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 5, 2011, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Altmire) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority 
leader.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. I will not speak for nearly 60 minutes. I'm tempted to 
engage the gentleman, my good friend, Mr. Woodall, in debate. But I 
won't do that because I know he's still smarting from his Bulldogs' 
loss over the weekend. And I'll let him continue to think about that. I 
very much enjoy the friendship and camaraderie with Mr. Woodall, 
although we do have a difference of opinion on some of those issues.
  Before we start, Madam Speaker, I would say to the individual who 
will be speaking following my presentation that I plan to only speak 
for about 5 minutes or less. This will not be an hour-long 
presentation. So the speaker who will follow me on the majority side, I 
recommend he hang near the floor because I will be wrapping up shortly.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of La Roche 
College. Founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 
McCandless, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, it was named in honor 
of Marie de la Roche, the first superior of the Congregation of the 
Sisters of Divine Providence. Originally a college for religious 
sisters, it now educates a diverse group of students from around the 
world, offering high-quality educational opportunities that continue to 
reflect its Catholic heritage.
  Soon after its founding, La Roche experienced financial difficulties 
that threatened the school's existence. Due to the financial strain, 
the congregation at that time seriously considered permanently closing 
the college. However, because of the profound and positive impact the 
school made on the community in the short time its doors had been 
opened, the students, State officials, and the community leaders urged 
the congregation and the school's leadership to continue the mission of 
the school and to keep the school open.
  Thankfully, due to the outpouring of support from the community, in 
1970 the board amended its charter to establish La Roche College as an 
independent, coeducational Catholic institution, which it remains 
today. It also joined with the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and 
diversified its course offerings, expanding the areas of study the 
college would offer, including graphic and interior design programs 
that are among La Roche College's most popular programs today.
  I was proud to serve on the Board of Trustees at La Roche College. It 
was during my time as a trustee that I had the wonderful opportunity to 
get to know the late Monsignor William Kerr, who served as La Roche's 
president for 12 years. It was during his tenure that the college 
established the Pacem in Terris Institute, a scholarship program for 
outstanding college-age men and women from conflict and post-conflict 
nations such as Rwanda and Bosnia. The institute allows students to 
receive an education at La Roche College to study leadership and 
diplomacy in return for their agreement to return to their home country 
after graduation to

[[Page 16272]]

help engage in the peace process and rebuild their nations.
  The institute successfully reflects the college's vision and mission 
to ``foster global citizenship.'' That program over the years has 
created a bond with some countries that is unlike any other institution 
of higher learning in America. It has had students go through the 
program that have gone back to their home countries and have very 
successfully become leaders in those countries. We are better off as a 
Nation and as a global community because of their work and because of 
that program which initiated and continues at La Roche College.
  It was also during my time on the Board of Trustees in 2004 that La 
Roche College Board of Trustees appointed Sister Candace Introcaso as 
the college's seventh president. Sister Candace began her career in 
education at La Roche in the late 1980s, and it's under her leadership 
that the college has continued to expand its global footprint while 
placing a renewed focus on serving the needs of those in the Pittsburgh 
region. I had the privilege of working closely with Sister Candace 
during my time as a trustee and as the Congressman who now represents 
La Roche College. The future is bright for the college under her 
continued leadership.
  La Roche College improves upon itself year after year. It continues 
to expand its academic offerings, with more than 50 undergraduate 
majors, 20 undergraduate minors, and three graduate programs. For six 
consecutive years, it has been named one of the Best Northeastern 
Colleges by the Princeton Review, and it fields 12 intercollegiate 
teams.
  On many occasions my office used their facilities for workshops and 
town hall meetings. Over the years, La Roche students and faculty, as 
well as Sister Candace, came to visit my office on a number of 
occasions to discuss the importance of education to our country and 
their efforts to collaborate with the greater Pittsburgh and western 
Pennsylvania community for the betterment of our entire region.
  Next year marks the 50th anniversary of La Roche College. Despite 
early financial troubles, the leadership of the college persevered, 
kept the doors open, and always stayed true to the mission of the 
school. La Roche College is a tremendous asset to our community, and we 
look forward to many, many more years of continued success. I wish them 
nothing but the best, and congratulations on their 50th anniversary at 
La Roche College.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

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