[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 17 (Monday, January 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 22, 2007

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
51, 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 are 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 2007 ``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.
  Two 2007 ``Heart of the School'' award winners teach at schools in 
the Fifth Congressional District, Kristin McCreary of St. Josaphat 
School and Lauren Costa at St. Pascal School. I thank these outstanding 
educators, past winners, and all of the dedicated Catholic school 
teachers in my district for their devotion to their students and for 
setting the standard for teaching excellence.
  Madam Speaker, I support H. Res. 51 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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