III 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 354 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 26, 2006 Mr. Vitter submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States have received international acclaim for academic excellence while providing students with lessons that extend far beyond the classroom; Whereas Catholic schools present a broad curriculum that emphasizes the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in the young people of the United States; Whereas Catholic schools in the United States today educate 2,420,590 students and maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to 1; Whereas the faculty members of Catholic schools teach a highly diverse body of students; Whereas more than 27.1 percent of school children enrolled in Catholic schools are minorities, and more than 13.6 percent are non-Catholics; Whereas Catholic schools saved the United States $19,000,000,000 in educational funding during fiscal year 2005; 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; and 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.: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that recognizes the vital contributions of thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and (2)congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for the vital role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation.