[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, the theme of the 33rd annual 
Catholic Schools Week is ``Good News in Education,'' and there is much 
good news to share. There are over 7500 Catholic schools nationwide 
educating over 2 million students. Catholic high schools have an 
impressive graduation rate, with 97 percent of students going to 
college. Chicago boasts the second largest Catholic school system in 
the country, with 102,000 students and 5,400 teachers in 258 schools. 
In Chicago, as in other urban areas, Catholic schools play an important 
role in providing quality academic training to children and youth.
  Yet, Catholic schools do more than educate, they emphasize discipline 
and service--two critical elements to raising responsible youth. In a 
society where many individuals place primacy on their personal needs, 
Catholic schools focus on preparing students to contribute to society 
by considering the needs of others. The close involvement of parents, a 
cornerstone of Catholic education, makes clear that education is not 
something that occurs only within the school house.
  From Chicago to across this nation, Catholic schools have provided 
education and service to those who have been traditionally left behind 
in our society. They have taken in poor and neglected children and 
released to the nation leaders and champions. For this I want to 
commend the Catholic school system in America. It is a beacon of hope 
to neighborhoods and communities throughout the nation.
  Catholic schools, however, like all other components of education, 
Madam Speaker, are facing difficult times. I would hope that as the 
year goes on and as we discuss and debate education, we commit to 
putting as many resources into education as we possibly can, ensuring 
the vitality of the institution, knowing that the investment secures 
the success of the future generations.
  So I graciously thank our teachers, counselors, nuns, and priests in 
our Catholic schools for their years of dedicated service. I offer 
heartfelt appreciation for their enormous dedication to our nation's 
children, and I urge them to continue to strive for excellence as they 
prepare our young people's hearts and minds to lead the nation.
  Again, I salute the Catholic schools for their outstanding 
contributions, and I would like to recite for the record those in my 
district, which are as follows:
  Chicago Jesuit Academy, Divine Infant Jesus School, Divine Providence 
School, St. Bernardine School, St. Edmund School, St. Jerome School, 
St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Elizabeth School, St. Helen School, Children 
of Peace School, Santa Lucia School, St. Pius V School, St. Therese 
School, Visitation School, St. Domitilla School, Ascension School, St. 
Giles School, St. Luke School.
  St. Vincent Ferrer School, Old St. Mary's, St. Angela School, St. 
Malachy School, St. Nicholas Cathedral, San Miguel-Comer Campus, 
Frances Xavier Warde, Our Lady of the Westside, St. Catherine/St. Lucy, 
Immaculate Conception School, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory, Fenwick 
High School, Holy Trinity High School, St. Ignatius College Prep., St. 
Joseph High School, Trinity High School.

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