[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 506 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 506

        Supporting the goals of National Catholic Schools Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             February 8 (legislative day, February 3), 2022

    Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
        Supporting the goals of National Catholic Schools Week.

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for 
        their academic excellence and provide students with more than just an 
        exceptional education;
Whereas Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added education emphasizing the 
        lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values 
        in young people in the United States;
Whereas Catholic schools serve the United States by providing a strong academic 
        and moral foundation to a diverse student population from all regions of 
        the country and all socioeconomic backgrounds, and of that student 
        population--

    (1) 21.4 percent of students are from racial minority backgrounds;

    (2) 18.6 percent of students are of Hispanic heritage; and

    (3) 20.1 percent of students are from non-Catholic families;

Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for parents, particularly in 
        underserved urban areas;
Whereas Catholic schools produce students who are strongly dedicated to their 
        faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually 
        stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral 
        development;
Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community service, producing graduates 
        who hold ``helping others'' as a core value;
Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2021-2022 academic 
        year was more than 1,680,000 and the student-teacher ratio was 11.5 to 
        1;
Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98 percent, with 85.2 
        percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges;
Whereas the week of January 30, 2022, to February 5, 2022, has been designated 
        as ``National Catholic Schools Week'' by the National Catholic 
        Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 
        Bishops;
Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has 
        been celebrated annually for the past 48 years; and
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is ``Catholic Schools: 
        Faith. Excellence. Service.'' and reflects Catholic schools' purpose to 
        form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, 
        and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of 
        faith: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, 
        an event--
                    (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic 
                Educational Association and the United States 
                Conference of Catholic Bishops; and
                    (B) 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 people can celebrate; and
            (3) supports--
                    (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, students, 
                parents, and teachers across the United States to 
                academic excellence; and
                    (B) the key role that Catholic schools, students, 
                parents, and teachers across the United States play in 
                promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for 
                the United States.
                                 <all>