[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1008 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1008

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      January 19, 2010.
Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for 
        their academic excellence, but provide students with more than an 
        exceptional scholastic education;
Whereas Catholic schools ensure a broad, values-added education emphasizing the 
        lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values 
        in young people in the United States;
Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2008-2009 academic 
        year was nearly 2,200,000 and the student-teacher ratio was 14 to 1;
Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students;
Whereas nearly 30 percent of school children enrolled in Catholic schools are 
        from minority backgrounds, and nearly 15 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 2000, the Catholic high school graduation rate was 99 percent, with 
        80 percent of graduates attending four-year colleges and 17 percent 
        attending two-year colleges or technical schools;
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.'';
Whereas the week of January 31, 2010, to February 6, 2010, has been designated 
        as Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational 
        Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
Whereas the Nation's Catholic schools emphasize the lifelong development of 
        moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in addition to academic 
        excellence;
Whereas Catholic schools educate a diverse group of students from all regions of 
        the country; and
Whereas the theme for this year's Catholic Schools Week 2010 is ``Dividends for 
        Life--Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, and Morals'': 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 the thousands of Catholic 
        elementary and secondary schools in the United States;
            (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational Association and the 
        United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on their selection of a 
        theme that all can celebrate; and
            (3) 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.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.