[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 492 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 492

            Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 20, 2004

  Mr. Vitter (for himself, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Hoekstra, Mr. Castle, Mr. 
Tiberi, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Foley, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Hayworth, Mr. 
Kennedy of Minnesota, Mr. Baker, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Bachus, Mr. 
  McCotter, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Nussle, and Mr. 
   Bishop of New York) submitted the following resolution; which was 
        referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
            Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

Whereas America's Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed for their 
        academic excellence, but provide students more than a superior 
        scholastic education;
Whereas Catholic schools ensure a broad, values-added education emphasizing the 
        lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values 
        in America's young people;
Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2003-2004 academic 
        year is 2,600,000 and the student-teacher ratio is 17 to 1;
Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students;
Whereas more than 26 percent of school children enrolled in Catholic schools are 
        from minority backgrounds, and more than 14 percent are non-Catholics;
Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, 
        values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually 
        stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral 
        development;
Whereas in the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic education, the National 
        Conference of Catholic Bishops stated: ``Education is one of the most 
        important ways by which the Church fulfills its commitment to the 
        dignity of the person and building of community. Community is central to 
        education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently 
        desired goal. The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be 
        directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the 
        individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, but 
        also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives.''; and
Whereas January 25-31, 2004, has been designated as Catholic Schools Week by the 
        National Catholic Educational Association and the United States 
        Conference of Catholic Bishops, an event celebrating its 30th year: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event 
        co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association 
        and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and 
        established to recognize the vital contributions of America's 
        thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools; and
            (2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and 
        teachers across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to 
        education, and for the key role they play in promoting and 
        ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation.
                                 <all>