[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H98-H103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 409) honoring the contributions of Catholic 
schools.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 409

       Whereas America's Catholic schools are internationally 
     acclaimed for their academic excellence, but provide students 
     more than a superior scholastic education;
       Whereas Catholic schools ensure a broad, values-added 
     education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, 
     intellectual, physical, and social values in America's young 
     people;
       Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for 
     the 1998-1999 academic year was 2,646,844, the total number 
     of Catholic schools is 8,217, and the student-teacher ratio 
     is less than 17 to 1;
       Whereas Catholic schools provide more than $17,200,000,000 
     a year in savings to the Nation based on the average public 
     school per pupil cost;
       Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students 
     and over 25 percent of school children enrolled in Catholic 
     schools are minorities;
       Whereas the graduation rate of Catholic school students is 
     95 percent, only 3 percent of Catholic high school students 
     drop out of school, and 83 percent of Catholic high school 
     graduates go on to college;
       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; and
       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'': Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Represen-
     tatives--
       (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event 
     sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association 
     and the United States Catholic Conference and established to 
     recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands of 
     Catholic elementary and secondary schools; and
       (2) 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer).
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, America's Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed 
for their academic excellence. They also provide students more than a 
superior scholastic education. Catholic schools ensure a broad values-
added education, emphasizing the life-long development of moral, 
intellectual, fiscal, and social values in America's young people. The 
total Catholic school student enrollment for 1998 and 1999 was 
2,646,844. The total number of Catholic schools is 8,217, and the 
student/teacher ratio in those institutions is less than 17-to-1.
  Catholic schools provide more than $17 billion a year in savings to 
the Nation based on the average school per pupil cost.
  Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students and over 25 
percent of school children enrolled in Catholic schools are minority 
students. The graduation rate of Catholic schools is

[[Page H99]]

95 percent. Only 3 percent of Catholic high school students drop out of 
school and 83 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to 
college.
  Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, 
their values, their families and communities by providing an 
intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual character and 
moral development.
  In 1972, a pastoral message was adopted by the National Conference of 
Catholic Bishops and it stated the following and I quote for the 
Chamber, 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 
and community, for the education of the individual Christian is 
important not only for his solitary destiny but also for the destinies 
of the many communities in which he lives.
  It is on that basis, Mr. Speaker, that this resolution recognizes 
Catholic schools and Catholic Schools Week. This is an event sponsored 
by the National Catholic Education Association, which is, by the way, 
the largest private organization of professional teachers in the world. 
It is also sponsored by the United States Catholic Conference and 
established to recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands 
of Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
  So we here congratulate today Catholic schools, their students, their 
parents, teachers across the country, for their ongoing contributions 
to education and for the key role that they play in promoting and 
ensuring a brighter and stronger future for this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Mr. 
Speaker, today's resolution recognizes the significant and important 
contributions of Catholic schools. Mr. Speaker, I myself attended 
Catholic schools. I received a high quality education from these 
schools and have benefited greatly. Also, children all across America 
have benefited from a Catholic education. Catholic education's place in 
America and our educational commitment is strong and dynamic.
  Fortunately, the truly great aspect of the American educational 
opportunity is its diversity. We have educational systems that can 
provide anyone in any city, in any State, with the opportunity to 
succeed. This recipe for success certainly includes our Catholic 
schools, schools with other religious focuses, nonreligious private 
schools, along with our great public schools. It is this variety, Mr. 
Speaker, this diversity, that truly makes American education powerful 
and makes American education successful in its mission.
  Mr. Speaker, today we are recognizing the educational and societal 
contributions that Catholic schools make to our Nation. We must 
recognize the importance and value that all parts of our educational 
structure have in our lives and the lives of our children.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson).
  Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution 
with respect to Catholic education, but to also share with my 
colleagues some of the history of Catholic schools in America, and 
particularly Catholic schools in the southwest.
  In 1598, Juan de Onate came up the Rio Grande, and he included eight 
Francisan friars in his expedition. They reached the east bank of the 
Rio Grande River near its confluence with the Chama River, close to the 
present site of Espanola and established a permanent settlement. That 
is over 400 years ago, before Jamestown became Jamestown and the 
Catholic church was in the southwest.
  The friars began teaching to the pueblos and mostly other children 
were taught at home for the first 100 years or so but in the 1800s, the 
Spanish government, cooperating with the Catholic church, began to 
establish schools in the territory of New Mexico. In 1850, the Bishop 
of Santa Fe, Juan Baptiste Lame, began to expand Catholic schools in 
New Mexico and brought the Sisters of Loretto to Santa Fe and the 
Christian Brothers came shortly thereafter to establish a school which 
still exists, Saint Mike's. The importance of these institutions and 
the history of New Mexico cannot be underestimated. Twenty percent of 
the people who participate in the constitutional convention in 1910 
that established the Constitution for the State of New Mexico were 
graduates of Saint Mike's High School.
  These two institutions, the Sisters of Loretto and the Christian 
Brothers began a long tradition of Catholic schools in New Mexico as 
they expanded many more schools throughout the territory.
  It was only 1891 when New Mexico started establishing a system of 
public schools, and even then Catholic schools retained their 
importance. Four of the first teaching certificates issued in 
Albuquerque, my home, under this new public school law, were to Sisters 
of Charity. That was 300 years after the Catholic church began 
educating new Mexicans. Today there are five Catholic high schools in 
New Mexico, 29 elementary schools. To put that in context, there are a 
little less than 800 public schools in the entire State of New Mexico.

                              {time}  1130

  The great thing is how many kids go on. They graduate from Catholic 
high schools. In my hometown, Albuquerque, St. Pious High School has a 
graduation rate of 100 percent, and between 95 and 100 percent of those 
kids go on to college. They do a great job. They have impacted our 
history and our culture and our life, and we thank them very much for 
it.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Kleczka).
  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleague, the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), for yielding time to me.
  Like the gentleman from Michigan, I also am a product of the Catholic 
schools, having attended St. Helen's Grade School, taught by the good 
Felician Sisters, and then on to high school, attending Don Bosco High 
School, which was taught by the Brothers of Mary.
  So, I rise to support this resolution, but I would like to further 
the congratulatory portion of the resolution by including all the 
Catholic clergy in the country and all the good sisters who devoted 
their lives to teaching young students in the Catholic schools.
  I extend this honor to the Catholic clergy, and wish that the 
Republican leadership would have done the same, when they had their 
chance to honor a Catholic clergyman by selecting the first choice of 
the bipartisan Chaplain Selection Committee, a Catholic priest, Father 
Tim O'Brien, who was passed over.
  In checking back with the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
and with the Catholic Conference, I am told that this is the first time 
the House of Representatives has ever brought to the floor a resolution 
specifically congratulating Catholic schools.
  I guess one could be suspicious of the timing. Here we are in the 
second session of the Congress, and one of the first items brought 
forward is a resolution congratulating Catholic schools. This naturally 
will make Catholics around the country very happy.
  However, one could ask, why is this being done? We have had Catholic 
School Week celebrated in this country for years and years. One could 
ask, is this a way that some can clear their conscience? Is this 
resolution before us because maybe it is an attempt to repair some of 
the damage done to the Catholic vote in this country?
  Mr. Speaker, I make a prediction. I would say after the debate on 
this resolution, a roll call vote will be requested. And later this 
afternoon when the vote is called, my Republican colleagues will stream 
to the floor and cast an aye vote for the resolution to show the entire 
world how pro-Catholic they are.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that same level of pro-Catholicism exists when 
the House later this month has before it the appointment of a chaplain 
for the House of Representatives, and when we will have the opportunity 
at that time

[[Page H100]]

to vote on naming the first Catholic priest in the history of this 
country to be chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
Mr. Speaker, I would respond to some of the comments that were made by 
the previous speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, with respect to the timing of this resolution, it is 
unfair, wholly unfair, to suggest that the Council of Catholic Bishops 
and the Catholic Educators Association somehow planned Catholic 
Education Week, this week, to correspond with the second issue that the 
gentleman spoke of.
  It is certainly not the case. Catholic Schools Week is an annual 
event, and one this Congress has recognized in the past and 
participated in events. I have been part of those myself in years past.
  Secondly, the gentleman asked, why is this resolution being 
introduced? This resolution was introduced because I wanted to 
introduce it. As a sponsor, I thought it was important. I am one who 
represents a district where a great many of my constituents educate 
their children in Catholic schools. They are thriving institutions. 
They provide a wonderful service, not only to the children who learn in 
those schools, but to the community at large.
  I would submit that, from a cultural perspective, our Catholic 
schools have contributed greatly to our Nation, and it is right and it 
is fitting for this Congress and for this body to recognize their 
contributions to the country.
  Fortunately, most children who are in Catholic schools today are 
learning and they are hopefully not observing today's proceedings, 
because how confusing it must be for them to observe Members of their 
Congress confusing an issue that is about those children and ought to 
be focused exclusively on those children and the great contributions of 
their teachers and administrators and those who have provided 
professional support for those kids. That is what this resolution is 
about. That is where our focus ought to remain.
  I find it once again troubling and unfortunate that others would try 
to drag in secondary issues, other issues that are important to the 
Congress that will in due time be resolved by this Congress in an 
appropriate setting.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
  (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, first of all, as a Catholic, as a product of 
Catholic schools, including the University of Notre Dame in my 
district, someone educated by some of the Diocesan, some of the Holy 
Cross and Jesuits orders, I am very proud as an original cosponsor to 
rise in support of this resolution.
  The success of the Catholic schools across the country and 
particularly in my home district makes me very proud. That is why I am 
a proud original cosponsor of this legislation.
  The Catholic schools, Mr. Speaker, are traditionally very strong 
academically, with very good curricula. They have a very good parental 
involvement and they have few disciplinary problems. Catholic schools, 
Mr. Speaker, can often teach students not only the importance of 
academic achievements, but also provide them with the important 
perspective of life that promotes social justice and responsibility and 
social service and love and respect of one's neighbor. Catholic schools 
also have considerable ethnic and racial diversity.
  We have also seen, Mr. Speaker, and I think it is very important to 
point this out, that there is about a 95 percent graduation rate from 
our Catholic schools, and about 83 percent of those students go on to 
college. I think it is important for us to look at why this is so. We 
have very many great public schools, but we have a real pattern here in 
our Catholic schools. We need to understand why this is.
  Dr. Maureen Hallanan, with the Institute of Educational Initiatives 
at the University of Notre Dame, is working to do precisely this. She 
is conducting a comparative analysis of public and nonpublic schools 
and their effects on student achievement. This research will help 
identify the characteristics of those schools that successfully promote 
student achievement, especially, especially targeted for at-risk 
students. These would be important considerations for us to better 
understand.
  So I hope that all my colleagues will join me in supporting this 
valuable research and supporting this resolution.
  With respect to the comments that my good friend, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin, made, I think it is fair to bring up the situation of the 
Catholic chaplain as we consider and debate and talk about Catholic 
education and the importance of that Catholic education in America 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, I think, sadly, it was a missed opportunity. I think 
Reverend Wright surely could and would make a very good chaplain here, 
and I have the highest respect for him. I certainly think the process 
probably could have been much fairer. I think basically it is a missed 
opportunity to be more inclusive. Mr. Speaker, I think it is generally 
a missed opportunity to be more inclusive.
  Secondly, I think we could have reached out and shown the Catholic 
community throughout the country we embrace their diversity, and for 
the first time in the history of this Congress have a Catholic 
chaplain.
  Thirdly, we have seen, through the centuries in this country in 
politics with Al Smith and John Kennedy, through the Ku Klux Klan, that 
we have had prejudice against the Catholics. This was an opportunity in 
this new century to show that we have overcome much of that prejudice. 
It is a missed opportunity, and I hope that it will not happen in the 
future.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Weldon).
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding time to me, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  I can speak on this issue from personal experience. I have several 
people on my staff who are graduates of Catholic schools, including 
several who went through Catholic elementary school, high school, and 
college.
  As well, I can also speak that my father was a graduate of Catholic 
schools, and my sister went to Catholic school as well. My parents 
actually wanted to send myself and my two sisters, younger sisters, to 
Catholic school, but like so many working class families, they could 
not afford it.
  That is why I feel so strongly that we in this Congress should be 
doing everything we can to enable parents, working class parents, to 
have the ability to choose the educational environment for their kids 
that they would like, a choice that unfortunately today is primarily 
reserved for wealthy people and people who end up having to sacrifice a 
great deal. I know my parents sacrificed to send my sisters, and I have 
met many people who sacrificed a great deal to send their children to 
Catholic schools.
  Why do they do that? Children who go to Catholic schools, they are 
much more likely, 95 percent of them graduate. There is a higher 
percentage of them who get into college. As well, there is a lower 
incidence of drug abuse. There are just so many amazing things that the 
Catholic schools have been able to do.
  What is most amazing is that they actually do it with less money. 
They have demonstrated very clearly that they can do a better job with 
less, and that is why we in the Congress should be doing everything we 
can to encourage Catholic education in America for those who would 
choose to send their children there.
  Most importantly, we should be encouraging school choice so that not 
just wealthy people can choose where they send their kids to go to 
school, and people are not forced to make incredible sacrifices, but 
that every American, working class, poor, would have the ability to 
send their child to the school of their choice.
  Yes, if we had an educational system in America that was like that, I 
believe millions more would choose Catholic education, because Catholic 
education has demonstrated clearly in that marketplace that they can do 
more with less. They can produce kids that are better equipped to go 
out in the world and be productive citizens.
  Therefore, I am extremely pleased to be able to rise and speak in 
support of this resolution. I encourage all my colleagues to do the 
same.

[[Page H101]]

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Eshoo).
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. I think it 
is a very important one. Certainly the Catholic schools of our great 
Nation have shaped and formed so many fine citizens.
  I am a product of Catholic schools. I am proud to have paid my taxes 
for the public schools, and yet educated my children at Catholic 
schools as well. My daughter and son-in-law today are part of the 
faculty, high school faculty, in California at a very prestigious 
Catholic institution. Many of us I think have compared notes with one 
another talking about how the nuns shaped us, and it is them that we 
salute today. There are so many who have gone before us that we want to 
recognize when we recognize Catholic education in the United States.
  It is really a real tribute to the Framers of the Constitution that 
we have the separation of church and State, and yet we recognize that 
we are one Nation under God, and that there is room in this country for 
private education and religious education.
  It is my understanding that this is I think the very first time that 
the House of Representatives is entertaining a resolution honoring 
Catholic schools. I am grateful for that, and I salute that.
  As a Member of the House Chaplain Search Committee, I would like to 
also say that the House and its leadership have the opportunity to 
recognize and to accept by the leadership for the first time in the 
history of our Nation a Catholic chaplain. Unfortunately, that has not 
happened. There are questions surrounding that, but we did miss a 
bipartisan opportunity and the opportunity to make history.
  So while we recognize Catholic schools today, I am sorry that we have 
missed that opportunity. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of this 
important resolution.

                              {time}  1045

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I have other speakers who are intending to 
be here who are not here now, so I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Reyes).
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Kildee) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I also rise in strong support of this resolution this 
morning. It is also my understanding that this is the first time that 
such a resolution has come before the House.
  I was privileged and honored to have been at a function last Saturday 
night where we recognized the supporters of Catholic education for the 
El Paso area. It is important to note, and I agree and want to 
associate myself with the comments of all of the comments this morning 
in extolling the virtues of Catholic education.
  Mr. Speaker, I should say that, although I am a product of public 
schools, I deeply appreciate the value of a Catholic education, 
especially in a community like El Paso which services predominantly 80 
percent of the Hispanics in that area.
  I want to congratulate Bishop Armando Ochoa for the great job that 
they are doing. In El Paso there are 13 schools with 4,600 students 
employing about 300 educators. The oldest, which was honored on 
Saturday night, is Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is celebrating its 
81st year. The Father Yermo School is celebrating its 40th year in 
education.
  I think it is important that we understand that the products of 
Catholic education are serving throughout the country in different 
capacities, both in private and public service. The superintendent of 
the Diocese of Catholic Schools is Sister Elizabeth Schwartz and she, 
with some degree of regret, did mention to me about the issue in terms 
of having missed an opportunity to select a Catholic for the chaplain.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this important 
issue.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate all the speakers today who have 
articulately spoken about the value and benefit of Catholic education 
and the contributions Catholic schools have made throughout the history 
of our country, right up to today and also that which we anticipate 
beyond.
  There are a number of interesting statistics that I would like to 
remind the body about. First of all, just in terms of faith, I am 
Catholic and was educated in a Catholic high school in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Moeller High School, and also Catholic University. It was my 
observation while I was there that clearly the majority of students who 
I attended school with were Catholic, but we had a great number of 
students from a wide variety of different Christian and non-Christian 
faiths who attended our school as well.
  Almost 11.5 percent of Catholic elementary school students are from 
other faith backgrounds throughout the country. In some inner-city 
schools, the majority of students are non-Catholic. I think it speaks 
to the mission of Catholic educators to reach out to all students and 
provide academic and spiritual-based services to all those who wish to 
achieve a superior education in many settings throughout the United 
States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a remarkable accomplishment that the schools have 
achieved, and one worth noting today. As the gentleman from Florida 
mentioned a little earlier in terms of cost, the average tuition for 
children in a parish school setting is approximately $1,500 annually. 
Eighty-two percent of schools have some sort of tuition assistance. 
Over 60 percent of Catholic schools have a tuition scale for children 
from other parishes or other non-Catholic children. Over 80 percent of 
schools have some form of tuition assistance that is passed on to 
students that helps those students attend and achieve.
  The average per pupil cost is $2,414 and 87 percent of the schools 
receive other subsidies from within the Catholic church and other 
Catholic endowments.
  Based on the projected per pupil costs to educate a child in 
government-owned institutions during the most recent year that 
statistics are available, 1996 through 1997, it cost approximately 
$6,600 across the country to educate children. Parents of Catholic 
elementary school students provided a gift to local, State, and Federal 
governments of over $15 billion on that basis when we take into account 
the cost of educating those children in government-owned institutions, 
had those children had government schools as their only option; the 
cost of those entities would have been paid, if all Catholic elementary 
school attendees had attended those public schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the teachers themselves. The 
teachers in Catholic schools are largely organized under the National 
Catholic Educational Association. That represents most of the U.S. 
Catholic elementary schools through the Department of Education.
  The organization is a professional organization. As I mentioned 
earlier, it is the largest private professional educational 
organization in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Kleczka).
  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to the gentleman 
from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer). When he was speaking and basically 
chastising me for introducing the entire chaplain issue, I asked him to 
yield for one question. That question was: Where was this resolution 
last year? Where was the resolution the year before?
  Mr. Speaker, this is the first time ever that I can find where we 
have had a resolution praising the Catholic schools of the country. 
Maybe one could say, and I agree, that it is about time we did so. 
However, we have to know the background.
  There was a bipartisan chaplain selection committee appointed, nine 
Democrats, nine Republicans, who went on a very exhaustive search, over 
35 candidates, to choose a new chaplain of the House. After their 
voting was completed, and I do not really understand the point system, 
but the person who received the highest number of votes for chaplain 
was Father Tim O'Brien, a Catholic priest who received 14. The next 
received 10.5 the third received 9.5.

[[Page H102]]

  The third one, the minister who received 9.5 points, was the one 
selected by the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader to be the next 
chaplain. We have not taken that issue up yet. That is coming up, I 
believe, in a couple of weeks.
  So some of my colleagues have indicated that we have missed an 
opportunity in the House. No, that opportunity has not come before the 
House. I think we can right the wrong of the leadership in passing over 
Father Tim O'Brien, a Catholic priest.


                         parliamentary inquiry

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Kleczka) will have to yield for that.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Will the gentleman yield for a parliamentary 
inquiry?
  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I yield.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, is it not correct that we are 
supposed to be debating the resolution before us today?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is not a parliamentary inquiry.
  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I have to question the timing of this first 
ever pro-Catholic resolution. And I think it is totally appropriate to 
bring it to the debate, the fact that if the people who are bringing 
this resolution forward are so pro-Catholic, let us see if that pro-
Catholic feeling continues to exist when the House has before it the 
issue on electing, for the first time ever in the history of the House, 
the first Catholic chaplain.


                announcement by the speaker pro tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would correct his previous 
response to remind all Members that debate should be confined to the 
pending question.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado 
(Mr. Schaffer) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I did not think I was going to be speaking on this 
resolution. I have come to the floor because shortly we will be 
bringing forth a rule on the Taiwan security legislation. But I want to 
commend the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) for bringing forth 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have two sons. One of them is 16, the other has just 
turned 15. The 15-year-old is in ninth grade; the other one is in the 
eleventh grade. They both go to Catholic school.
  In south Florida, we have a wonderful series of Catholic schools, 
both primary and secondary, as well as a wonderful Catholic university, 
Barry University. We are very proud of the education that those schools 
provide. So I think it is very appropriate that the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) brought forth this resolution that we are 
debating it today.
  I do not know if it is the first resolution in history, Mr. Speaker. 
But I am glad that it has been done, because the reality of the matter 
is that the men and women who work in the Catholic schools throughout 
the United States deserve our commendation and they deserve our praise 
and we should go on record as expressing our appreciation for the work 
they do.
  Mr. Speaker, I never cease to learn in this body, because I never 
thought that this would be a controversial resolution. I think that 
praising the men and women, both the religious and the lay folks, who 
work in Catholic schools is something that everybody would wish to do. 
So this has been an educational experience today that it has become 
controversial, but that is democracy. Even something like this can 
become controversial.
  The reality of the matter is that I think we should all come together 
and praise the men and women who form the new generations who are 
privileged enough. Because all schools, whether they are private or 
public, are praiseworthy. But, specifically, definitely so are the 
Catholic schools and that is why I commend the gentleman from Colorado.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to thank the Sisters of 
Saint Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan, who taught me at Saint Mary's 
school in Flint, Michigan. I would like to particularly thank Sister M. 
Hilary who helped change my life.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I too would like to thank those who have 
spoken today on this important topic in reaching out to congratulate 
those involved in Catholic schools. The students, the administrators 
the teachers, all those who make Catholic education possible in the 
United States.
  As a product of Catholic schools, I have learned myself that it is 
virtually impossible to disconnect the academic construction from the 
spiritual basis that all children in America need in order to advance 
and grow spiritually and personally. A great many parents throughout 
the country, even with the government-owned system that most children 
are educated in today, manage to instill in their children a strong 
spiritual basis as their children grow. But for many children, that is 
just an opportunity that is lost or missed.
  The Catholic schools throughout the country provide a remarkable 
example and a remarkable model of academic institutions that result in 
thriving, growing, well-educated young men and women throughout the 
United States of America. And it is fitting for this body to recognize 
the contributions and accomplishments of Catholic schools today.
  This is Catholic Schools Week all week long. There will be events 
taking place throughout the country. Our participation here is a 
symbolic one, but I think an important one as well to let them know 
that their job is one which is well done, one that is critical and 
essential to the maintenance of our union and the academic excellence 
of graduates and students who are in school today, and that they play a 
critically important role in the future growth and development of our 
Nation as a whole.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I ask the committee to consider favorably 
this resolution and that concludes the balance of my remarks.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important 
resolution that honors the contributions of Catholic schools in the 
United States. I am a product of that school system, I have been 
privileged to teach in a Catholic school, and my two children currently 
attend Catholic schools in our hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.
  In Cincinnati, we're very proud of our Catholic school system--one of 
the largest in the United States with 77 elementary and 16 secondary 
schools. Students in the system routinely score in the top one-third on 
nationally standardized tests. 98% graduate from high school. And 96% 
go on to pursue higher education.
  Representatives from Catholic schools from all across the United 
States are in Washington this week to celebrate National Catholic 
Schools Week. We welcome them. And we thank them for building an 
exemplary education system that is based on academic achievement, 
community involvement, and strong values. Our Catholic schools have set 
a standard we can all be proud of.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution.
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor America's Catholic 
schools.
  It is fitting and appropriate that the Congress consider this 
legislation today. Our nation's Catholic schools are reputed not only 
for their academic excellence but also for their contributions to our 
communities.
  Catholic schools--and their faculty, staff, students and families--go 
above and beyond the call of duty. Children educated in our Catholic 
institutions benefit from moral and social development along with 
superior intellectual challenge.
  Millions of children attend thousands of Catholic schools every year 
in our nation. These schools boast diverse student bodies and 
exceptional success rates. Their graduates are not only skilled, but 
also devoted to their faith and community.
  Right in my own district in Central Orange County, California, 
Catholic schools teach our children not only the knowledge they will 
need to succeed in the classroom, but develop the character children 
will need to thrive in the world.
  In its 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.''
  The Catholic school system has made invaluable contributions to our 
nation. Today I congratulate Catholic schools for their success and 
their continued role in promoting and securing a bright, strong future 
for our nation.

[[Page H103]]

  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for 
House Resolution 409, honoring the contributions of Catholic Schools. 
Over two and a half million students are currently enrolled at 8,217 
Catholic schools across the country.
  This week, as ``Catholic Schools Week'', provides us an important 
opportunity to recognize the outstanding performance of Catholic 
schools in the education of America's youth. I believe their successes 
truly hold some of the keys to improving our education system 
nationwide.
  Catholic elementary and secondary school students consistently 
display superior results on national and science academic achievement 
tests. Catholic schools maintain a phenomenal graduation rate of 95%, 
compared to 66% for public schools. More importantly, Catholic schools 
provide their students with a strong sense of their faith, family and 
community. They provide a rich, intellectually stimulating environment 
in which today's youth learn the skills required to be tomorrow's 
leaders.
  These schools teach the value of self discipline, tolerance and 
respect for one another. Catholic schools open their classrooms to 
economically and culturally diverse students, giving young people of 
all backgrounds the opportunity to succeed.
  I also salute the Catholic school teachers who dedicate themselves to 
the teaching profession and take great pride in the success of their 
students.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the sponsors of this resolution, and 
appreciate the opportunity to honor the Catholic schools of our nation. 
I believe these schools are a model for success in the education of our 
youth. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, today Congress passed a resolution 
congratulating America's Catholic schools, the students, the 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 as a co-sponsor of that resolution I offer heartfelt 
congratulations to all who participate in the work of Catholic 
education. I am especially proud of Catholic schools in Indiana which 
provide a great education to more than 62,000 children.
  This week we celebrate the 26th annual Catholic Schools Week and 
commemorate the important role Catholic elementary and secondary 
schools across the country play in providing a values-added education 
for America's young people. We are proud of their educational network, 
emphasizing intellectual, spiritual, moral, and social values in their 
students.
  Studies have shown that Catholic schools succeed because they employ 
a system that works: Site-based management; discipline and virtue; high 
academic standards, and parental involvement. These qualities 
contribute to a caring, well-ordered, safe and stimulating environment 
where children learn more than just academics. They learn individual 
responsibility, respect, moral conduct, and hard work.
  Catholic schools work because they are entirely voluntary for both 
students and teachers. If students are unhappy, they may leave. 
Teachers are not tenured. Parents who sacrifice to send their children 
to school remain involved.
  Cicero once said, ``There are more men ennobled by study than by 
nature.`` However, if we are to ennoble the next generation, we must 
begin now by inducing positive changes in our education system so more 
children may have the opportunity to have the rich experience Catholic 
schools offer. We must introduce more examples of education excellence 
into the community, to kindle competition and bring excellence to all 
learning institutions public and private.
  At the K-12 level, Indiana spends an average of $5,666 per student 
per year. Yet performance declines as the student progresses through 
the public school system.
  For instance, in 1996, Indiana's 4th graders took the National 
Assessment of Education Progress math exam. They placed 4th out of 43 
states that participated in the exam. Which is very good. However, 
Indiana's 8th graders ranked only 17th out of 43 states. On Math 
Advanced Placement exams, Indiana ranked last in comparison to other 
states and the District of Columbia in terms of the percentage of 
students who scored a 3 or higher out of 5. For Indiana high school 
students who are college-bound, their SAT scores are about 30 points 
below the national average. 46th in the nation.

  We need to rethink our whole approach to elementary and secondary 
education. We need to look to examples of education systems which 
achieve great results so that we can make systemic changes. We also 
need to provide ways to help parents take advantage of the choices that 
exist.
  Barbara is African-American and lives in inner city Indianapolis. She 
struggles to raise three boys. And Barbara has decided to become a 
leader in her community. She is president of a new grassroots 
organization called FORCE--short for Families Organized for Real Choice 
in Education.
  A few years ago her son, Alphonso, had an opportunity to escape the 
inner city school system that was failing him. Through a private 
scholarship program started by Pat Rooney at Golden Rule Insurance 
Company, Alphonso has been able to attend Holy Cross Catholic School.
  It was opportunity that enabled Alphonso to go to a better school. 
But it was Alphonso's own intellectual abilities and hard work that put 
him on the honor roll. His own athletic abilities that make him stand 
out on the football team. And his own leadership abilities that led his 
classmates to elect Alphonso to the student council.
  I could tell you about studies that show the great academic 
achievements made by inner-city youth in Catholic schools. But 
Alphonso's success story speaks for itself. His real-life experience 
tells us so much more than mere statistics ever could. Catholic schools 
shine just a little brighter when more disadvantaged young people like 
Alphonso make the grade.
  The author Victor Hugo once wrote, ``There is one thing stronger than 
all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.'' 
Excellence in education is the course of the future.
  We will not let our children--our future--slip through the cracks. 
Our families will rebuild our education system so that our children 
grow up with the knowledge and the confidence to build a new day for 
our nation.
  Mr. LARSON. I rise today to acknowledge the contributions made by 
Catholic schools, which build strong educational and moral foundations 
for our students.
  As a former student of St. Rose's School in East Hartford, 
Connecticut, I would like to praise the outstanding efforts of the 
Sisters of Notre Dame for providing students with strong academic and 
moral values. My Catholic school education has given me a valuable 
framework for life, and has enabled me to achieve personal and 
professional goals.
  Our nation's Catholic schools provide excellent opportunities for 
learning. With over 8,000 schools and current matriculating classes of 
greater than 2.6 million students (of which one-in-four are 
minorities), Catholic schools provide educational opportunities to a 
broad cross-section of our society. These schools encourage greater 
levels of student-teacher interaction through their small class-size 
ratio. As a result, Catholic school students achieve a graduation rate 
of 95%, while 83% continue on to a college education. This education 
model has been internationally acclaimed for its stellar academic 
reputation.
  As we celebrate Catholic School Week, I am proud that these schools 
will continue to nurture students dedicated to their faith, to their 
values, to their communities and to their families. These schools 
develop the leaders of tomorrow with effective leadership and 
character. I am, therefore, proud to support H. Res. 409.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 409.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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