[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 12 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H796-H800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 51) honoring the contributions of
Catholic schools.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 51
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 2005-2006 academic year was about 2,400,000 and the
student-teacher ratio was 15 to 1;
Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students;
Whereas more than 27 percent of school children enrolled in
Catholic schools are from minority backgrounds, and nearly 14
percent are non-Catholics;
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;
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.''; and
Whereas January 28 to February 3, 2007, has been designated
as Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational
Association and the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event
co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association
and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 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 gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Wilson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days
during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 51 into
the Record and to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Without objection, Mr. Speaker, I yield the
balance of my time to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) and
request that he control the balance of my time.
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Illinois.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 51 honoring National
Catholic Schools Week and the tremendous contributions that Catholic
schools make to our country. Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has
celebrated the important role that these institutions play in America
and their excellent reputation for providing a strong academic and
moral education, as well as teaching community responsibility and
outreach.
I am proud to sponsor this resolution as my first resolution of this
new Congress, and I would also like to thank the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Fossella) for his work on this resolution. Unfortunately Mr.
Fossella today has been unable to make it. He is stuck in New York
today. But he would like to be here also to speak of his support for
this resolution on Catholic Schools Week.
This year's theme of Catholic Schools Week is ``Catholic Schools: The
Good News in Education.'' This theme has multiple meanings for Catholic
schools. At the center of Catholic education is the ``Good News'' or
Gospel of Jesus and salvation. Jesus taught love and service. And the
history of Catholic schools reveals an ongoing emphasis on the Gospel
values of reaching out and serving others.
But the ``good news'' in Catholic education is also the news of
success in shaping the lives of so many young men and women. Nationally
about 2.4 million young people are enrolled in nearly 8,000 Catholic
schools. These schools have more than 160,000 full-time professional
staff, boasting a student/teacher ratio of 15:1. On average, Catholic
school students surpass other students in math, science and reading in
the three grade levels of the NAPT test. The graduation rate for all
Catholic high school students is 95 percent, and 83 percent of Catholic
high school graduates go on to college. These are amazing statistics in
America today.
Catholic schools are also highly effective in educating minority
students and disadvantaged youth. The percentage of minority students
in Catholic schools has more than doubled in the
[[Page H797]]
past 30 years, today representing more than one-quarter of all those
enrolled. And almost one in seven students in Catholic schools is not
Catholic. The success of Catholic schools does not just come from
selectivity. On average, Catholic schools accept about nine out of
every 10 students who apply.
One of the reasons for the ``good news'' of Catholic schools is that
in addition to learning reading, writing and arithmetic, students also
learn responsibility and how to become persons of character and
integrity.
Community service is a priority in Catholic schools; 94 percent of
schools have a service program, with the average student completing 79
hours of service.
I was born, raised and lived in the Chicago Archdiocese, which has
one of the most successful school systems in the country. Today more
than 106,000 students attend 276 schools. In my district alone there
are five Catholic high schools and 34 grammar schools, including one of
the best in my home parish of St. John of the Cross.
The success of students in archdiocesan schools is phenomenal, with
the high schools having an amazing graduation rate of over 99 percent,
and 95 percent of graduates from Catholic schools go on to college.
This is certainly a record to be proud of.
My wife and I are each products of 12 years of Catholic education. My
wife in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, at St. Patrick's Grade School and
Bishop McCourt High School; myself in Chicago at St. Symphorosa Grammar
School and St. Ignatius College Prep. Like so many others, I understand
how important Catholic schools are in providing a spiritual, moral and
intellectual foundation. My 12 years of Catholic education provide me
with the knowledge, discipline, desire to serve, and a love of learning
that enabled me to go on to earn my Ph.D. and become a teacher before I
was elected to Congress.
As we recognize Catholic Schools Week, we must pay special tribute to
the dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much,
usually getting paid much less than they could to dedicate their lives
to teaching at Catholic schools. I have fond memories of my teachers,
who taught me not only the value of a good education, but also the
values of faith and service. Although it was 35 years ago that I
started school, I can still fondly remember all my teachers, from first
grade, Sister Mildred; second grade, Miss Ivers; and on and on. And I
will never forget Sister Diane, my coach on the Student Congress in
high school. And to this day, when I speak to a crowd, I always
remember her sitting there nodding her approval as I gave my speeches,
as I was a nervous young kid in high school. Millions of other
Americans have similar memories of teachers who gave their heart and
soul and made such a big difference in the lives of their students.
Mr. Speaker, as an important complement to public schools and other
private institutions, Catholic schools contribute a great deal to
America. They have made a big difference in my life and in the lives of
countless others. As Father William Davis, Interim Secretary for the
Conference of U.S. Catholic Bishops, said, ``High achievement rates,
high retention rates, high moral values, and high student and parent
satisfaction are the distinctive marks of a Catholic school. That's the
good news and we want to share it.''
For this good news, America's Catholic schools deserve our praise and
our support, and to share our praise and support, I urge my colleagues
to pass this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 51, offered
by the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Dan Lipinski. This resolution
increases the awareness of Catholic education while honoring the
contributions of America's Catholic schools. They are dedicated to not
only educating their students academically, but to developing their
moral, intellectual, physical and social values.
January 28 through February 3, 2007, is Catholic Schools Week, an
annual tradition in its 33rd year and jointly sponsored by the National
Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops. The purpose of this resolution and Catholic Schools
Week is to celebrate the vital role Catholic elementary and secondary
schools play in providing a values-added education with high standards
of quality and excellence to millions of children in America.
As President George W. Bush has noted, Catholic educators share the
basic conviction that every child can learn, which is the grounding
principle behind the No Child Left Behind Act.
Catholic schools have also played a vital role in the gulf coast's
path to recovery after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They worked as
quickly as possible to reenroll their students, while also opening
their doors to thousands of public school students displaced by the
storm.
Catholic schools continue to demonstrate their faith in every student
and commitment to excellence with overwhelming results. According to
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic schools have a
greater than 99 percent graduation rate, and about 97 percent of
Catholic high school graduates go on to postsecondary training at 4-
year colleges, community colleges, or technical schools.
I know firsthand of the significance of Catholic schools in that my
new daughter-in-law, Jennifer Miskewicz Wilson of Fairfield, New
Jersey, was influenced by a Catholic education.
I appreciate the great work being done by Catholic schools, their
administrators and teachers, as well as their parents and volunteers.
Catholic schools carry out their servant mission by building the
academic achievement, character and values of their students. I commend
my colleague from Illinois for introducing this resolution, and I urge
my colleagues to support it.
I would like to congratulate and thank Mrs. Davis and Mr. Lipinski
for their leadership on the past two resolutions.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say in
closing that I thank the gentleman from South Carolina, that I thank
Mr. Lipinski, the gentleman from Illinois as well, for speaking out so
eloquently on the critical role that Catholic schools play in our
society today.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 51 to honor the
contributions of Catholic Schools to our nation's educational system.
Too many children in our country are not getting the education they
need and deserve. Catholic schools provide many students with a
wonderful education and, in many cases, a quality alternative to
overburdened public schools.
I am grateful for the work of the 39 Catholic schools that are run by
the Diocese of Bridgeport which is based in Connecticut's Fourth
Congressional District, and serves 10,988 students from diverse
backgrounds. These schools offer elementary and secondary education, as
well as after-school programs. They present students with an
alternative to public schools, and provide a strong sense of faith and
discipline.
I commend the teachers, administrators, students and parents for
their role in Catholic education, and the key role they play in
creating a brighter, better educated nation.
Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House
Resolution 657, which has been offered by Mr. Lipinski from Illinois. I
thank my colleague for introducing this resolution honoring Catholic
Schools Week, 2007.
Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the
important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across
the country play in providing quality education for American youth. The
mission of these institutions--to build solid foundations for lives of
confidence, faith, and service--has had a tremendous impact in shaping
family values and community life across the country, and particularly
in my community in Western New York.
Beginning the last Sunday in January, the Nation's nearly 8,000
Catholic schools will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28 through
Feb. 3. This year's theme is ``Catholic Schools: the Good News in
Education'' and focuses on the role Catholic Schools play both in
educating students and teaching them the value of virtues such as
integrity and dignity. Through education and community service,
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.
Together, more 160,000 Catholic school teachers nationwide teach 2.4
million students,
[[Page H798]]
of which more than 27 percent are from minority backgrounds and nearly
14 percent are non-Catholics. An astounding 99 percent of these
students will graduate, and 97 percent of those graduates go on to
college. As these students become adults, their intelligence and
character will benefit communities in Western New York and throughout
the nation.
In my hometown of Buffalo, neighborhoods are often known by the names
of their Catholic Schools and Parishes, and the many families that are
active in Catholic schools are enriched by the values they espouse.
Indeed, I have spent my life as a first-hand witness to the beneficial
work of Catholic schools. My mother was a teacher at Our Lady of
Perpetual Help, and my two children, John and Maeve, attend Catholic
School in South Buffalo. My family and I are personally grateful for
the contributions that America's Catholic schools have been making to
families like ours, and American society at large, for more than four
centuries.
I thank the National Catholic Educational Association and the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops for cosponsoring this week-long
event.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in supporting
this resolution, and I thank my colleague Mr. Lipinski for his
leadership on this issue.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rIse today in support of H.
Res. 51, which honors the contributions of Catholic schools. Catholic
schools not only ensure that their students are equipped with a
superior scholastic education, but also emphasizes the moral, physical,
intellectual and social development of America's youth. This bill
honors and supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event co-
sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Education is a very important value that should be emphasized to
American young people. This bill congratulates Catholic schools,
students, parents, and teachers for their role in ensuring that
American students remain competitive in a global marketplace while
emphasizing their character development.
I commend Congressman Lipinski for sponsoring this bill which
promotes and encourages education. Education is the pathway to a better
future and an American ideal is for students of every background and
race to have the opportunity to access equal education. Catholic
schools have strived to maintain diversity with more than 27 percent of
school children enrolled in Catholic schools from minority backgrounds.
Supporting this bill sends a message that we care about the education
of American students. Not only do Catholic schools educate Catholic
youth, but 14 percent of those children who attend Catholic schools are
non-Catholic. We must keep in mind that Catholic schools educate
America's young people and ensure that they have a brighter future.
Catholic schools have ensured that they are well equipped to face the
rigorous challenges after graduation while contributing to their
character development and helping to raise responsible citizens who
give back to our communities and the world.
Thus I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting and
honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I stand here in support of H. Res 51, a
resolution that honors the contributions of Catholic schools.
As we get ready to celebrate Catholic Schools week, it's important to
highlight and celebrate the contributions of the nearly 8,000 Catholic
schools that exist in our Nation.
Catholic education has long been characterized by a commitment to
high and appropriate standards in all aspects of its educational
mission.
The history of Catholic schooling embodies a constant effort to
promote academic excellence for a diverse group of students in an
environment permeated by religious values and beliefs.
Aside from America's Catholic schools being internationally acclaimed
for their academic excellence, catholic school students also learn
responsibility, and how to become persons of character and integrity.
Father William Davis of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops said, ``High achievement rates, high retention rates, high
moral values and high student and parent satisfaction are the
distinctive marks of a Catholic school.''
In my district and the surrounding areas, Catholic education is
rather prevalent. The San Bernardino diocese contains at least 32
Elementary schools and 2 High schools. A new Preparatory high school is
also in the works for the Coachella Valley area.
Catholic schools foster a sense of community. They encourage their
students to be loving family members; and to be responsible adults
within the workplace, as leaders of the world and as inhibitors of
their communities.
I commend Catholic schools for holding high educational standards,
instilling good moral values, and community sentiments.
Let us recognize and honor the valuable traits Catholic schools
possess.
I urge the rest of Congress to stand with me, and support H. Res. 51.
Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as
an original co-sponsor and in strong support of House Resolution 51,
``Honoring the Contributions of Catholic Schools.''
As a product of Saint Anselm and Archbishop Ryan, I know the vital
role that Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers play
towards building a stronger nation. I know that I would not be here
today without the guidance of Sister McFadden, the assistance of Ms.
Erwin, or the countless other teachers, priests and nuns who helped
shaped me into the man I am today.
Our Catholic schools instill a strong sense of community and service
in their students: service to our God, to our families, to our towns
and cities. And it is this spirit of service that leads so many to
strengthen our communities: in our hospitals, schools, businesses and
even in these halls of Congress.
President John F. Kennedy, the first and only Catholic President--and
one of my political heroes--said: ``With a good conscience our only
sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth
to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing
that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.''
Mr. Speaker, though I have not been in this Chamber long, I have
relied on the lessons I learned in the classrooms of St. Anselm and
Archbishop Ryan to do what I believe is right. And I am honored that in
the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress we have passed bills to lift
millions out of poverty by raising the minimum wage and to protect our
environment by investing in alternative energy.
But Mr. Speaker, the commitment to justice, peace and service taught
in Catholic schools resonates far outside this chamber and is felt in
countless, yet tangible ways in every comer of the nation. And it is
only through everyday men and women simply trying, as President Kennedy
so eloquently stated, to make God's work their own, is America the
nation it is today.
That is why Mr. Speaker, as a proud former student of Catholic
schools, I urge my fellow representatives to support this resolution
honoring the contributions of these fine institutions to our
communities and Nation.
Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to
Catholic Schools not only in my Home Congressional District of Staten
Island and Brooklyn, but also the entire nation as we honored Catholic
Schools Week from January 28-February 3, 2007.
America's Catholic schools educate nearly 2.5 million students a
year, providing the nation's young men and women with a broad academic
background emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual
physical and social values.
Catholic school initiatives that reach out to disadvantaged young
people have touched a diverse group of students who sometimes find
themselves trapped in underachieving schools. It is not surprising to
me that more than 27 percent of Catholic school students are from
minority groups and nearly 14 percent are non-Catholics. Parents
recognize the importance of a quality education and are willing to
sacrifice to ensure their children have every opportunity to succeed in
the world.
Catholic Schools Week pays tribute to the dedication, character,
compassion, and values that embody Catholic education in this country.
I believe it is important to recognize the outstanding contributions
Catholic Schools make in our country today. Their commitment to the
educational standards and values ensure our children will have the
right moral framework to help lead our great Nation in the future.
I would like to recognize all Catholic Schools in the 13th
Congressional District of New York: Academy of St. Dorothy, Blessed
Sacrament, Holy Rosary, Immaculate Conception, Notre Dame Academy,
Monsignor Farrell High School, Moore Catholic School, Mother
Francciska, Notre Dame Academy Elementary, Our Lady of Good Counsel,
Our Lady Help of Christians, OL Mount Carme/St. Benedicta, Our Lady
Queen of Peace, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Sacred Heart, St. Adalbert,
St. Ann, St. Charles, St. Christopher, St. Clare, St. John Villa
Academy, St. Joseph, St. Joseph by the Sea High School, St. Joseph Hill
Academy, St. Joseph-St. Thomas, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary, St.
Patrick, St. Paul, St. Peter's Boys, St. Peter's Girls, St. Peter's
Elementary, St. Rita, St. Roch, St. Sylvester, Seton Foundation For
Learning, St. Teresa, Most Precious Blood, Fontbonne Hall Academy, Our
Lady of Angels, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anselm,
St. Bernadette, St. Ephrem, St. Finbar, St. Frances Cabrini, St.
Patrick School, Sts. Simon & Jude, Visitation Academy, Xavarian High
School, Xavarian Genesis Program.
[[Page H799]]
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 51, a
resolution to recognize our Nation's Catholic schools and honor their
important contributions to our students and our communities. I thank
the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski, for offering this important
measure.
Roughly 2.3 million students attend more than 7,500 U.S. Catholic
schools--more than one-fourth of them minority students. Year in and
year out, these schools have made remarkable contributions to our
Nation's intellectual growth. For example, on average, ninety-five
percent of Catholic school students graduate, with eight out of every
ten of Catholic high school graduates going on to pursue a higher
education.
While these schools are widely-known for their academic excellence,
their contributions go far behind grade point average and graduation
rates. Rather, Catholic schools also emphasize the moral, physical, and
social values of our Nation's young people. And for that, their
contributions simply cannot be quantified.
Next week, our nation's Catholic schools, their students, and their
families will be marking Catholic Schools Week for the 33rd year.
Catholic Schools Week celebrates the quality of the education available
to all students in Catholic grade schools and high schools across the
U.S., and we wish them all the best during their celebration.
As we prepare to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act and
continue to work to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged
students and their more fortunate peers, we also should recognize that
if it weren't for our nation's Catholic schools and the dedicated
teachers who serve them, the achievement gap today would be even wider.
With this in mind, Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution to
honor Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers for their
ongoing contributions to education, as well as for the key role they
play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for our
Nation.
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I express my strong support for House
Resolution 51 offered by Mr. Lipinski of Illinois. As both a Catholic
and product of Catholic schools, I am proud to be an original cosponsor
of this resolution which recognizes January 28th to February 3rd, 2007,
as Catholic Schools Week.
Connecticut's Second Congressional District is home to nearly 30
Catholic elementary and secondary schools. From the southeastern corner
of the district in Pawcatuck and Saint Michael's School, to the
district's northwestern corner and the Enfield Montessori School,
Catholic schools are an important part of the fabric of education in
eastern Connecticut. The Archdiocese of Hartford and Diocese of Norwich
deserve credit for making its schools accessible throughout the State.
As a graduate of Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford,
Connecticut, I know firsthand the academic rigor and discipline that
Catholic schools demand. They provide their students with strong
scholastic backgrounds and prepare them for life's many moral
challenges.
Catholic schools deserve recognition for their contributions to our
country. Today more than 2.4 million students are enrolled in Catholic
schools, and 27 percent of those students are from minority
backgrounds. Furthermore, Catholic schools emphasize strong community
development and service. In my hometown of Vernon, Connecticut,
students at St. Joseph School and St. Bernard school are active in the
community visiting nursing homes and collecting money and clothes for
the less fortunate.
I thank the National Catholic Educational Association and the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops for designating January 28th to
February 3rd, 2007 as Catholic Schools Week. And I thank Mr. Lipinski
for offering this important resolution. The country's Catholic schools
are certainly meritorious of such recognition.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
51, a resolution to honor the contributions of Catholic schools. This
timely resolution comes before us during the annual commemoration of
Catholic Schools Week, and just days before the National Appreciation
Day for Catholic Schools on Wednesday, January 24, 2007. This year's
theme, ``Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education'' accurately
describes the positive contribution Catholic schools have made to
providing children with quality education within the United States and
throughout the world.
The work of the National Catholic Educational Association and the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops toward coordinating
Catholic Schools Week and toward raising general awareness of the
contributions Catholic schools have made to our communities is
commendable. Together, their efforts have ensured that Catholic Schools
Week has remained a success since its inception in 1974.
Catholic schools have fulfilled an important role in this country.
The advent of Catholic schools in this country can be traced back as
far as 1606, when the priests from the Franciscan order opened a school
in Florida. Today, Catholic schools offer comprehensive programs and
educational, spiritual, and moral guidance to approximately 2,400,000
students at nearly 8,000 schools across the United States.
The number of racial and ethnic minority students enrolled in
Catholic schools in the United States has more than doubled in the past
30 years. Racial and ethnic minority students now comprise 27 percent
of the student population at Catholic schools. These statistics are
evidence of the commitment to diversity fostered by Catholic schools in
the United States. Catholic schools are also known for their academic
excellence. Catholic secondary schools in the United States graduate 99
percent of their students, 97 percent of which go on to attend college.
I represent Guam. The Roman Catholic Church has long been an
intrinsic part of Guam's culture. In fact, Padre Diego Luis de San
Vitores, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, established a mission in the
village of Agania in 1665. Guam's population is approximately 85
percent Roman Catholic. The positive influence of the Roman Catholic
Church on Guam is evidenced as a result its service to the needy, its
dedication to the community, and its education of our youth.
In 1946, Bishop Appollinaris Baumgartner, recognizing the need for
quality education on Guam, invited the Sisters of Mercy from North
Carolina to Guam. The Sisters of Mercy established The Academy of Our
Lady. The Academy of Our Lady became the first all girls' Catholic high
school on Guam and continues to educate young women today. Three years
later, Bishop Baumgartner invited the School Sisters of Notre Dame to
Guam. The School Sisters of Notre Dame founded Notre Dame High School,
which continues today to provide high-quality Catholic education to
young men and women on Guam. Father Duenas Memorial High School is
named in honor of the courageous Father Jesus Baza Duenas, who was
executed by the Imperial Japanese forces occupying Guam during the
Second World War for refusing to betray the location of an American
sailor hiding on our island. Father Duenas Memorial High School
continues his legacy of courage and integrity. All three of these
Catholic high schools offer rigorous curricula to prepare students for
college while instilling strong moral values and an understanding of
the Catholic faith.
Archbishop Felixberto Camacho Flores, Guam's first Chamorro Bishop,
continued Bishop Baumgartner's legacy of shaping the character of
Guam's faithful by promoting Catholic education opportunities on our
island. Under Archbishop Flores's leadership, the number of Catholic
schools serving the people of Guam increased, education programs
expanded, and school facilities were modernized. In addition to these
three Catholic high schools, Guam is home to four nursery schools, six
elementary schools, and six middle schools that teach the Catholic
faith in addition to other academic curriculum. Our community knows
well the contributions that Catholic schools make toward providing a
quality educating to our children.
Catholic schools on Guam and around the country excel in their
mission of providing quality and character education to children. Their
influence has helped form socially responsible and morally upright
graduates who possess the skills, character traits and compassion that
help produce good citizens and effective community leaders. On this
occasion of the 33rd annual Catholic Schools Week, I recognize and
commend the Catholic schools on Guam and throughout the country for
their commitment to instilling the principles of academic excellence,
strong moral values, and a dedication to and fulfillment of Catholic
ideals in our children's daily lives. In particular I recognize in a
very special way all of the administrators, the faculty, the staff, the
students, the parents, and their families of the greater Catholic
School community on Guam. Their work is a testament to the strength of
Catholic education on Guam. I also recognize the unfailing leadership
of Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D., the Metropolitan
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Agana, and Ms. Cynthia S. Agbulos, the
Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Agana.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 51.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
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The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
____________________