[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, today I rise to join Catholic 
schools across my home state of Michigan and the country as they 
celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This year marks the twenty-third 
anniversary of the annual event, and its theme is an important one, 
``Catholic Schools: Restoring Faith in Education.''
  Since the founding of our great nation, Catholic schools have been 
integral to its growth and prosperity. Among the first schools in the 
country, Catholic schools educated countless individuals throughout the 
nation and provided an early first step toward creating a literate 
populace. Today, the role of Catholic schools is just as important. 
Strong academics partnered with a values-based education offers a 
tremendous option for children across the country. From rural areas to 
the inner city, the opportunities afforded by Catholic schools are 
immeasurable. They provide an important choice for parents and students 
who seek the best possible learning environment.
  In the State of Michigan, Catholic schools are elemental in providing 
children of all ages with a solid education. Spread throughout 
Michigan's seven Catholic dioceses, over 96,000 students are enrolled 
in 355 schools. These schools play a critical role in adding to the 
rich diversity of American education. I am pleased to have this 
opportunity to congratulate the many Catholic schools in Michigan and 
the United States for the high quality of education they 
provide.

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