[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H625-H626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: FAITH FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Green of Wisconsin). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the subject of 
Catholic schools, a great gift to this country.
  Catholic Schools: Faith for a Brighter Future, that is the theme for 
the 25th annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week January 31 through 
February 6, 1999, in the 10th annual National Appreciation Day for 
Catholic Schools February 3, 1999.
  Catholic Schools Week celebrates the important role Catholic 
elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a 
values-added education for America's young people. Catholic schools are 
proud of their educational network, emphasizing intellectual, 
spiritual, moral, physical, and social values in their students.
  The National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools was established to 
encourage supporters nationwide to showcase the great accomplishments 
and contributions the more than 8,200 catholic schools nationwide make 
to our country. Celebrated in communities across the U.S. that have 
Catholic elementary and secondary schools, this day provides 
opportunities for State Governors, big city mayors, and small town 
councils to join in proclaiming Catholic Schools Week in their 
localities year after year and arrange special commemorative 
celebrations.
  On February 3 this year a delegation of more than 130 Washington, 
D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area Catholic school students, teachers, 
and parents visited Capitol Hill to meet with congressional leaders and 
promote Catholic schools. They served as ambassadors for the students 
enrolled in Catholic schools nationwide.
  Students met in the Dirksen Senate Office Building for a briefing by 
a Senator from Tennessee, and held a rally on the steps of the Capitol. 
Groups of students visited congressional offices, meeting with Members 
and staff to acquaint themselves with the mission and accomplishments 
of Catholic Schools, and to discuss issues of importance to Catholic 
school students.
  As part of their activities, they hand-delivered letters from 
Catholic school superintendents of schools to their congressional and 
Senate Members, and provided a background package on Catholic schools 
to every congressional office. Today we congratulate America's Catholic 
schools, the students, the

[[Page H626]]

teachers, and especially the parents, who make many sacrifices to 
provide their children the education offered in Catholic schools. The 
outstanding contributions of Catholic schools to our Nation are worthy 
of celebrating, and I offer heartfelt congratulations to all who 
participate in the work of Catholic education.
  At present Catholic school student enrollment is almost 3 million 
students. Catholic schools welcome all students whose parents wish 
their children to attend.
  Catholic Schools are proud of the diversity of their student body. 
Minority students, for example, comprise more than 24 percent of total 
enrollment, and nonCatholic students are approximately 14 percent of 
the enrollment nationwide.
  Congratulations to the National Catholic Educational Association and 
the United States Catholic Conference, the national organizations that 
sponsored the National Appreciation Day event on Capitol Hill. NCEA is 
the largest private professional education association in the world, 
representing more than 200,000 educators serving 7.6 million students 
at all levels of Catholic education.
  The United States Catholic Conference is the national public policy 
organization of bishops in the United States. Congratulations to 
Catholic Schools, students, teachers, and parents. You are giving this 
Nation faith for a brighter future.

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