From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: National Catholic Educational Association Presents 1992 Seton Awards
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 02:10:03 GMT

Here is a press release from the National Catholic Educational Association.
 National Catholic Educational Association Presents 1992 Seton Awards
 To: National Desk, Education Writer
 Contact: Barbara Keebler, Marianne Rosica-Brand or Bill Rader,
          202-337-6232, all of the
          National Catholic Educational Association

   WASHINGTON, Sept. 14  -- Financier and philanthropist 
Peter Lynch; internationally acclaimed cartoonist
Bill Keane; the U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello and the
Christian Brothers Conference were among the recipients of the
1992 Seton awards presented here.
   The presentation was made by Catherine T. McNamee, CSJ, president
of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) which
founded the recognition program in 1991.
   Other 1992 Seton recipients included Polly Williams, Wisconsin
State Assembly representative and a champion of educational choice
for parents; the Most Rev. Daniel Sheehan, archbishop of Omaha and J.
Patrick Rooney, chairman of the board, Golden Rule Insurance Company
and founder of the educational CHOICE Charitable Trust.
   "The Seton awards were established to honor those organizations
and individuals who have made a significant contribution to education
in America and to Catholic schools in particular," said Sr. McNamee.
"The diversity of this year's honorees underscores the talent and
energy that is working to ensure better educational opportunities for
all American children."
   The 1992 Seton award winners join Barbara Bush; Dr. Lynne Cheney,
chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities; corporate
leader Peter Flanigan; Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia;
The Knights of Columbus and the Religious Orders of the United States
as recipients of this honor.
   The award was named in honor of the first American-born saint and
founder of the U.S. Catholic school network in the early 1800s --
although the Catholic school tradition dates to 1606 when Franciscans
opened a Catholic school "to teach reading, mathematics and the
principles of the Catholic religion."
   "That vision of four centuries ago reflects the legacy of Catholic
education today," said the NCEA president.  "The foremost goal in our
8,500 Catholic schools nationwide is to provide a values-based
education.  Discipline and academic excellence are stressed to assure
that our graduates are good citizens, neighbors and workers."

   About the 1992 Seton Awardees
   Christian Brothers Conference -- Since the foundation of the
community in 1681, the Brothers have maintained education as their
special ministry and the school as their preferred apostolate.
Today, 1,300 DeLaSalle Christian Brothers serve the education
ministry in the United States.
   Bil Keane -- Creator of "The Family Circus", the most widely
syndicated comic panel in America today, Mr. Keane is being
recognized for his commitment to a Catholic way of life and his
steadfast promotion of strong family values to his 100 million daily
readers.
   Peter Lynch -- Throughout his career as one of the most respected
portfolio managers in the country, Mr. Lynch, now a trustee of
Fidelity Management & Research, Inc., still found time to be a
leading proponent for Catholic education.  On the board of Boston
College and very active in the archdiocese of Boston, Mr. Lynch
continues to make Catholic education a priority.
   Antonia C. Novello, MD, MPH -- the 14th Surgeon General of the
U.S. Public Health Service, Dr. Novello has made preventive health
care for America's youth a priority.  As a board-certified
pediatrician, Dr. Novello has held many positions that have
influenced the country's health policies toward children, including
Deputy Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development.
   J. Patrick Rooney -- A well-known social activist and chairman of
the board of the Golden Rule Insurance Company, Mr. Rooney is deeply
committed to improving the quality of education for all America's
children.  This determination led him to found the educational CHOICE
Charitable Trust, an innovative choice program which has allowed
nearly 800 inner-city grade schoolers to attend private schools their
parents believe best meet their educational needs.
   The Most Rev. Daniel Sheehan -- A pioneer in the area of
development programs for Catholic education, Archbishop Sheehan will
be honored for his personal commitment to our nation's children and
his leadership in the archdiocese of Omaha.  Last year Archbishop
Sheehan launched the Campaign for Educational Excellence which has
resulted in pledges for $26 million.
   Annette Polly Williams -- Completing her sixth term in office,
Representative Williams of the Wisconsin State Assembly has
championed numerous pieces of landmark legislation.  Through her
persistent efforts, Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to
approve a Parental School Choice Program providing low income
families with vouchers they could use to send their children to
private, non-sectarian schools.

   Stronger and Expanded Catholic School Network
   According to Sr. McNamee, the 1992 Seton Awards Gala is a legacy
of the National Congress on Catholic Schools for the 21st Century,
which was convened last year to chart the course for Catholic
education for the next century.  The Congress, which included a
meeting with President George Bush and other administration
officials, brought together corporate, community and educational
leaders, along with parents, bishops and researchers to discuss
building a stronger and expanded network of Catholic schools for the
year 2000 and beyond.
   NCEA is the largest private, professional education association in
the world.  Founded in 1904, the association's membership represents
more than 200,000 educators serving 7.6 million students in Catholic
education at all levels, including preschool, elementary and
secondary schools, colleges and universities, seminaries and
religious education programs.
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