LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Nazareth
Regional High School in Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exem-
plary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate the pursuit of
excellence in education and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The first semester of the initial year of Nazareth High
School was spent at the newly completed Bishop Kearney High School since
Nazareth's building was yet unfinished; in the spring of 1963, Bishop
Brian McEntegart dedicated the new building, and the first class of
freshmen joined the small Nazareth faculty in moving into their own
school; and
WHEREAS, Brother John Olsen, C.F.X., served as Nazareth's first prin-
cipal until 1966; he, and the other Xaverian Brothers and Catholic
laymen who administered and staffed the new school, centered the goals
of Nazareth around the theme "wisdom, age, and favor with God"; and
WHEREAS, The first class of Nazareth Kingsmen graduated in June of
1966; Nazareth prospered as a progressive educational institution; in
1974, the principal, Brother Mathew Burke, with the encouragement of
Bishop Francis Mugavero, formed a new Catholic school governed by a
board of trustees because the diocese could no longer continue to subsi-
dize the school; and
WHEREAS, The new school was called Nazareth Regional High School and
was staffed mostly by Catholic laypersons along with some religious men
and women; in 1976, the school admitted women for the first time, and in
June, 1980 the first female valedictorian was selected; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, Nazareth Regional High School was formally affil-
iated with the network of schools sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers'
American Province; as a Xaverian Brothers sponsored school, Nazareth is
part of a proud and distinguished legacy of educational excellence that
is the Xaverian Brothers' tradition; and
WHEREAS, Today Nazareth is a fully developed Catholic, co-educational,
secondary school serving students from parochial, private, and public
schools throughout Brooklyn and parts of Queens; it boasts a graduation
rate of 99% with 95% of its students heading directly into college and
securing a significant amount in scholarships; and
WHEREAS, Nazareth Regional High School offers a safe, caring and
nurturing environment where students of all abilities can pursue their
interest in the following programs: pre-med, nursing, the technology
academy (ranked no. 20 in the world out of 786 competing schools), and
pre-law; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Nazareth Regional High School encourages its
students to get involved in after-school extracurricular activities,
including: baseball, football, junior statesmen assembly, speech and
debate, softball, and volleyball along with many other clubs and activ-
ities; and
WHEREAS, Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn, New York continues
to fulfill its laudatory educational purposes and is proudly aware of
its distinguished past; it is eager to fulfill its commitment to its
students, faculty, alumni and community, and is planning with vision and
purpose for the growth and change it will encounter in the years to
come; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an educa-
tional institution of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to
our attention, it should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Nazareth Regional High School in
Brooklyn, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn, New York.