[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2000

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions and the importance of education preparation in Catholic 
schools. For decades, they have enriched the lives of children past and 
present. I was educated at Holy Family High, a Catholic school in my 
hometown and I have felt the benefits throughout my life. The 
importance of education is one value that has remained with me through 
my years as a parent, an educator, and as a Congresswoman. Education is 
very significant in the continued success of our great nation. A 
Catholic institution provides a balance of strong education 
complimented by the support of a strong moral and spiritual environment 
to prepare well-balanced young persons for entering our society.
  Statistics have shown that the United States has gained immense 
benefits from the Catholic education system, educating some 2.6 million 
students at a saving to our nation of more than $17.2 billion dollars. 
Further, Catholic education has an impressive graduation rate of 95 
percent and more than 83 percent of those graduates go on to college. 
Catholic schools focus not only upon intellectual encouragement and 
development but also on the moral and spiritual fiber of each student. 
These students preserve this enriched relationship with their faith, 
families and community.
  Recognizing Catholic schools for their contributions to the community 
of the United States shows the respect we have for these institutions 
and to thank the dedicated faculties and administrators for the care 
they have taken of the students entrusted to their guardianship. 
Educating our youth is perhaps our greatest responsibility as a Nation, 
and I am thankful for the daily contributions made by these 
institutions toward that aim.

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