Congresswoman McCollum's Remarks Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Hill-Murray

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff of Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, Minnesota on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. This educational institution has a distinguished record on academics, community involvement and athletic success.

Archbishop Murray Memorial high school was founded in 1958 by the Benedictine Sisters as a school for young women. In 1959, just a few blocks down the street, the Christian Brothers founded the Hill High School as a school for boys. Classes officially began in both schools in 1951, and in 1971 the schools merged and the Hill-Murray School was born.

During the past 50 years, Hill-Murray has strived for excellence in all areas. Its mission statement declares the school ''is committed to developing creative and responsible leaders for tomorrow's world who will provide effective moral leadership in their local and global communities''. This charge is reflected in both the school's design and its results: from its students, 92% of whom enroll in post-high school educational institutions; to its classrooms, where the student-teacher ratio is 14:1; and to its teachers 79% of whom hold advanced degrees and 80% of whom have more than 5 years of experience.

Following the school's mission to prepare students not only for college but for the broader journey of life, Hill-Murray students in grades nine through twelve complete two service requirements per year helping the economically disadvantaged, the physically or mentally impaired, and the elderly. With its emphasis on developing the entire person, 90% of the student body participates in extracurricular activities.

The Hill-Murray athletics department has one of the finest histories in the State of Minnesota. In the past 5 years, Hill-Murray teams and individual athletes advanced to the Minnesota State Tournament in boys and girls basketball, boys and girls track, boys and girls golf, girls tennis, competitive cheerleading, and danceline. The boys Hockey team is regarded as one of the best in the state, and earned its 3rd State Championship in 2008.

Additionally Hill-Murray has produced 6 National Hockey League players, 3 World Hockey Association players, over 70 Division I NCAA players; 2 Major League Baseball players, and 3 Olympians including a member of the gold-medal winning 1980 U.S. Hockey team responsible for the 'Miracle on Ice.'

Mr. Speaker, in honor of all members of the Hill-Murray family, I am pleased to submit this statement for the Congressional Record recognizing the many contributions this school has made to the State of Minnesota and the United States of America during the past 50 years.