[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

                                 ______


                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 1994

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Catholic Schools 
Week, which began on January 30. This week, the educators and students 
of the more than 8,420 Catholic elementary and secondary institutions 
in the United States will celebrate Catholic Schools Week and they 
should be commended for the strong educational leadership they provide 
in communities across the country.
  Catholic schools provide a strong foundation on which students can 
develop solid moral values and achieve academic excellence. One need 
only look to recent reports, which show that Catholic students excel in 
reading, science, and mathematics. In addition, 83 percent of Catholic 
high school graduates go on to college and realize the merits of 
Catholic education.
  Catholic schools provide spiritual guidance and nurturing to their 
students, and by offering solid academic instruction, they equip their 
pupils with the educational and social tools necessary for successful 
lives. With parochial school enrollment increasing nationwide--Catholic 
schools continue to enroll more than 50 percent of all private school 
students and educate over 2.5 million students overall--there is clear 
evidence of the enduring quality of Catholic education. Parochial 
education is increasing its presence in urban areas and serves diverse 
populations. The percentage of minorities in Catholic schools has more 
than doubled since 1970 and continues to increase.
  I am also a strong supporter of Catholic Schools Week not only 
because I am a product of a Catholic grade school and Catholic graduate 
school, but because I firmly believe in the sound education these 
schools are providing across the country. As our education system goes 
through many changes over the next decade, private schools--especially 
our Catholic schools--will continue to play an important role in this 
process.
  This week, let us celebrate the uniqueness and strong commitment to 
quality education that Catholic schools demonstrate across our great 
Nation and throughout the world.

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