[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 6 (Thursday, January 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 354--HONORING THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC 
                      SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. VITTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 354

       Whereas Catholic schools in the United States have received 
     international acclaim for academic excellence while providing 
     students with lessons that extend far beyond the classroom;
       Whereas Catholic schools present a broad curriculum that 
     emphasizes the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, 
     physical, and social values in the young people of the United 
     States;
       Whereas Catholic schools in the United States today educate 
     2,420,590 students and maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 
     15 to 1;
       Whereas the faculty members of Catholic schools teach a 
     highly diverse body of students;
       Whereas more than 27.1 percent of school children enrolled 
     in Catholic schools are minorities, and more than 13.6 
     percent are non-Catholics;
       Whereas Catholic schools saved the United States 
     $19,000,000,000 in educational funding during fiscal year 
     2005;
       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 Senate--
       (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event 
     cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association 
     and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that 
     recognizes the vital contributions of thousands of Catholic 
     elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and
       (2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and 
     teachers across the United States for their ongoing 
     contributions to education, and for the vital role they play 
     in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for 
     this Nation.




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