Recognizing the Centennial of Messmer High School

Floor Speech

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Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize Messmer High School in Milwaukee, WI, on their 100th anniversary. I am pleased to honor this organization and to commemorate this historic milestone.

Founded by Archbishop Sebastian Messmer in 1926 in the city of Milwaukee, Messmer High School was built on a vision of uniting Milwaukee's Catholic parishes and providing a high-quality education rooted in faith for the city's immigrant families. For the past 100 years, Messmer has been a cornerstone of education and opportunity in Milwaukee.

In the 1920s, Milwaukee was a diverse industrial city defined by established immigrant communities. There were large German, Polish, Italian, Mexican, and Eastern European immigrant populations throughout the city, many of which were working-class and low-income. Throughout its early years, led by the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Capuchin Friars, Messmer quickly became a thriving center of academic excellence, spiritual formation, and community spirit.

Over the past century, Messmer has earned a reputation for its welcoming, family-like culture and a commitment to preparing students for both college and the trades. After the Great Depression and World War II, the school evolved with the changing landscape of Milwaukee to embrace new generations of students from diverse backgrounds. Messmer has become one of Milwaukee's most integrated Catholic high schools through its model of inclusion and faith in action.

In the 1980s, the archdiocese announced plans to close the school. However, a group of determined parents and alumni refused to let Messmer's mission die. This grassroots effort is deemed the ``Messmer Miracle'' and helped reopen the school while instilling a lasting sense of pride in the institution. Countless people and families have been shaped by Messmer over the past 100 years through the education it provides and the strong sense of community it fosters.

As we honor this significant milestone for Messmer High School, I am grateful for their continued education of Milwaukee's youth, and I look forward to its continued success in the years to come.

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