Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th anniversary school year of St. Egbert's Catholic School in Morehead City, North Carolina.

The school has designated the theme of this important milestone: ``Celebrating 50 Years of Loving and Learning.''

St. Egbert's started its first year of operation in September 1956 with 46 children in grades kindergarten through four, and was officially dedicated in 1957.

As a mission of St. Egbert's Catholic Church, the original teachers at St. Egbert's were a group of Spanish sisters known as the Daughters of Jesus. The original school, which was built for just $55,000, consisted of three classrooms and two other rooms that could be combined to serve as an auditorium.

Since then, a second classroom wing has been added, as well as a computer lab. The school now serves grades kindergarten through eight.

Many adults who once attended St. Egbert's have sent children to their alma mater, and now serve as dedicated parent volunteers at the school.

Lesley Ferguson has served as St. Egbert's principal for 30 years, and was the first Catholic school principal in the Raleigh Diocese who was not a Catholic nun.

Although St. Egbert's has grown and seen numerous changes over the past five decades, the school's philosophy and commitment to providing a quality education in a safe Christian environment remains unchanged.

I congratulate the entire community of St. Egbert's Catholic School for reaching this tremendous milestone, and I wish the school many blessings and successes in the years ahead.