[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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