[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

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                               speech of

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2005

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
23, a resolution that honors the contributions of Catholic schools and 
supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week.
  The many accomplishments of Catholic schools and their positive 
impact on students and communities throughout the nation is evident in 
the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois, where schools such as St. 
Pascal Elementary, St. Bartholomew Elementary and Gordon Technical High 
School provide a quality education while instilling values that will 
serve their students throughout their lives. These schools provide 
strong academic curricula and promote significant parental involvement. 
They teach students the importance of academic achievement while also 
providing a balanced perspective on life that promotes responsibility, 
justice and social service.
  Catholic schools also promote ethnic and racial diversity. An 
increasing number of children in Catholic schools in my district come 
from our minority communities. Students in Catholic schools achieve 
exceptionally high graduation rates, and an increasing number are 
advancing to college and giving back to the community through volunteer 
service.
  Catholic schools foster more than scholastic excellence alone. They 
provide spiritual guidance to students by encouraging fundamental 
ideals and an appreciation for family values, community service, and 
faith in their own lives. This, in turn, shapes Catholic school 
students into leaders of tomorrow.
  I want to take this opportunity to applaud the recent accomplishments 
of the 2005 ``Heart of the School'' award winners. Each year, the 
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools presents these awards to 
recognize outstanding and innovative accomplishments of individual 
teachers at Archdiocese of Chicago schools.
  I am very proud that four of these award winners currently teach at 
Catholic schools in my district. Kevin Carroll of St. Patrick High 
School was recognized for his contribution to Arts Education, Marilyn 
Ann Skowron of Guerin College Preparatory was recognized for Innovation 
and Creativity, and both Kevin L. Booth of Notre Dame High School for 
Girls and Christopher E. Perez of St. Patrick High School were 
recognized for Leadership. I thank these outstanding educators as well 
as all of the dedicated Catholic school teachers in my district for 
their devotion to their students and for setting the standard for 
teaching excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 23 and encourage Catholic schools in 
my district and across the United States to continue contributing to 
the development of strong moral, intellectual and social values in 
America's young people. I thank the National Catholic Educational 
Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for 
their sponsorship of Catholic Schools Week.

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