[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H398-H402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 39) honoring the contributions of Catholic
schools.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 39
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 2007-2008 academic year was nearly 2,300,000 and the
student-teacher ratio was 14 to 1;
Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students;
Whereas more than 25 percent of school children enrolled in
Catholic schools are from minority backgrounds, and over 14
percent are non-Catholics;
Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly
dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities
by providing an
[[Page H399]]
intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual,
character, and moral development;
Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99
percent, with 80 percent of graduates attending four-year
colleges and 17 percent attending two-year colleges or
technical schools;
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 25, 2009, to January 31, 2009, 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 gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.
General Leave
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on
H. Res. 39 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
{time} 1300
Mr. LOEBSACK. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 39, which
recognizes the achievements of Catholic schools across the Nation. I am
pleased to honor these outstanding elementary, secondary and higher
learning institutions. I commend them for their commitment to academic
excellence and moral values. In doing so, I support January 25 to
January 31 as Catholic Schools Week.
In the late 19th century, Catholic schools emerged as an alternative
to public schools and to traditional private schools. As private
institutions, Catholic schools were able to design their own academic
curriculum by teaching religious values and ethics while maintaining
high academic standards. And after 100 years of existence, Catholic
schools remain very popular and respected institutions.
Last year, Catholic schools served over 2 million students while
maintaining a 14 to 1 teacher-student ratio, giving students the
benefit of a small-classroom environment. Catholic schools also boast a
diverse enrollment; 25 percent of its students nationwide are from
minority backgrounds and 14 percent are non-Catholics. The schools
provide unique experiences where students can excel. Catholic high
schools have a 99 percent graduation rate with 80 percent of their
graduates advancing to 4-year colleges, while 17 percent pursue 2-year
colleges. It's clear that Catholic schools are encouraging their
students to pursue higher education opportunities, and I applaud them
for their efforts. There are 7,500 Catholic schools across this Nation.
With modest tuition rates, Catholic schools are affordable for most
working and middle-class families. As Congress salutes these religious
educational institutions, we reaffirm our commitment to education,
excellence and diversity.
Madam Speaker, I support the Catholic Schools Week, and I urge my
colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. It is with great pleasure that I rise today in support of
House Resolution 39 offered by a good friend of mine, the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski). This resolution increases our awareness
of Catholic education while honoring the contributions of America's
Catholic schools. I am also very pleased to be a cosponsor of this
resolution. I have a long background with education and religious
schools. My father was a pastor, and our denomination has supported
Christian day schools for a considerable length of time and shares the
approach and the ideas of the Catholic schools. Our schools were very
effective in educating students. Emphasis was on academics, but also on
how that applied to the world today and what responsibility we as
students, and later adults, had to use our religious beliefs in the
benefit of our fellow human beings and our Nation. Catholic schools
have followed in this tradition.
I am pleased that January 25 through January 31, 2009, has been
designated Catholic Schools Week, an annual tradition in its 35th year,
and jointly sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association,
as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. With this
resolution, we recognize the vital role Catholic elementary and
secondary schools play in providing an education with high standards of
quality and excellence to the nearly 2.3 million students enrolled in
Catholic schools across the country.
One thing I have always admired when I visit Catholic schools and
speak to their students is the tremendous discipline in the classroom.
And I wish all of our schools in this Nation had this discipline and
that attention on learning.
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic
schools have a graduation rate of over 98 percent, and about 97 percent
of Catholic high school graduates go on to post-secondary training at
4-year colleges, community colleges or technical schools. This success
can also be attributed to the importance Catholic educators place on
character and morals. By making the development of moral and social
values an integral part of the curriculum, Catholic schools are
ensuring that their students are not only good academicians, but also
good citizens.
The theme for Catholic Schools Week this year is ``Catholic Schools
Celebrate Service.'' This theme highlights the mission of Catholic
schools to provide a faith-based education that supports the whole
child academically and spiritually and impresses upon them the
importance of civic engagement. Catholicism has a long and rich
tradition of direct service to those in need. Catholic schools
incorporate service projects into the curriculum, teaching students the
value of helping others as an expression of faith and good citizenship.
Catholic schools demonstrated an enormous amount of character and
compassion in their response to the devastating hurricanes that hit the
gulf coast nearly 4 years ago. In the wake of this national disaster,
more than 300,000 students were displaced from their homes, schools and
communities. Catholic schools opened their doors and hearts and
welcomed these students into their classrooms. They provided these
children with the opportunity to continue their studies without
stopping to consider how to cover the cost of that education. Instead,
the Catholic schools knew their first priority was to educate these
children and worry about the financing later on.
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.
Again, I commend the gentleman from Illinois for introducing this
resolution and urge my colleagues to support it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I'm very pleased today to recognize a
good friend, the gentleman from the Third District of Illinois, Mr. Dan
Lipinski, for 6 minutes.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from
Iowa for yielding.
Today I rise in support of H. Res. 39, honoring Catholic Schools Week
and recognizing the outstanding contributions that Catholic schools
have made to America.
[[Page H400]]
As a product of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius High
School and a strong supporter of Catholic education, I am proud to
sponsor this resolution again this year. And I would like to thank my
colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for joining me in working on this
resolution.
Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has celebrated the positive impact
that Catholic schools have had on our country and recognize their
outstanding contributions in providing a strong academic and moral
education, as well as teaching the importance of responsibility to
one's family and community.
As we heard in President Obama's inauguration address yesterday,
responsibility is critical to our Nation's success, and responsibility
requires service to others. Very appropriately, the theme for next
week's Catholic Schools Week is ``Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.''
President Obama rightfully sees public service as a way to unify the
country, to bridge divisions and to teach responsible citizenship.
This is nothing new to America's Catholic schools. They have always
taught the intrinsic value of service to others. Nearly 95 percent of
Catholic schools have a service program, and the average student
completes approximately 80 hours of public service. My strong desire to
serve was fostered by my dedicated teachers at Catholic schools. Nearly
95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and the average
student completes approximately 80 hours of public service.
Today, almost 2.3 million elementary and secondary students are
enrolled in nearly 7,500 Catholic schools. These schools have more than
160,000 full-time professional staff. Through individual attention and
quality education, Catholic school students, on average, surpass other
students in math, science and reading in the three grade levels tested
by the NAEP test. The graduation rate for Catholic high school students
is 99 percent, and 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on
to college or technical schools. These are truly remarkable statistics
in a country where we read all-too-many reports of deep problems in our
educational system and worrying declines in our student's international
competitiveness.
Catholic schools are known for embracing students from all walks of
life and are highly effective at providing excellent educational
opportunities for minority students and disadvantaged youth. Almost one
in seven students of Catholic schools is not Catholic. And over the
past 30 years, the percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic
schools has more than doubled. And the success of Catholic schools does
not depend on selectivity, accepting nine out of every 10 students who
apply.
In addition to producing well-educated students with a commitment to
service, Catholic schools save American taxpayers billions of dollars
every year by lessening the number of students in already overburdened
public schools. In fact, it is estimated that taxpayers save over $1
billion from students attending Catholic schools in the Chicago area
and approximately $20 billion nationwide. This savings is crucial to
American taxpayers, especially during these harsh economic times.
Unfortunately, the current economic turmoil combined with much longer
travails of middle class in our country have been hard on Catholic
schools in some areas. Just like me, my wife Judy attended Catholic
schools for 12 years. She went to St. Patrick's Grade School and Bishop
McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, less than
2 weeks ago it was announced that St. Patrick's would be closing. This
closing is a great loss not just to the students of St. Patrick's, but
the entire community of Moxham, demonstrating just how important
Catholic schools are to the greater community.
I was born and raised and lived in the Chicago Archdiocese, which
still has one of the most successful school systems in the country.
More than 98,000 students attend 256 schools. In my district alone,
there are seven Catholic high schools and approximately 50 grammar
schools, including one of the best in my home parish of St. John of the
Cross in Western Springs.
My experiences have taught me the important spiritual, moral and
intellectual foundation that Catholic schools provide to students.
Catholic education has granted me the knowledge, discipline, desire to
serve, and a love of learning that enabled me to achieve my doctorate
degree and become a teacher before being elected to Congress. In
recognizing Catholic Schools Week, we pay a special tribute to
dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, in most
cases working for much less than they could earn elsewhere. Many of my
formative memories are of teachers who taught me the values of faith
and service. After 35 years, I can still fondly remember Sister Diane,
my Student Congress coach when I was in high school, and from Sister
Mildred in first grade to Sister Xavier in eighth grade at St.
Symphorosa. Throughout the United States, millions of others have
similar memories of their dedicated sisters, priests and lay teachers
who gave their hearts and souls to touch the lives of their students.
Madam Speaker, American Catholic schools deserve our praise, our
support and our gratitude. I would like to thank everyone who has
cosponsored this resolution. And to share our praise and support for
Catholic schools, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.
Mr. EHLERS. I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of H. Res. 39, which recognizes and honors the exemplary
contributions of Catholic schools across our Nation. The resolution
salutes the commitment, professionalism and faith of the teachers and
administrators as well as the achievements in the classroom and in the
lives of the students. And we commend today the support of the Catholic
Church itself in making this educational opportunity possible.
I would also like to thank Mr. Lipinski for his leadership in
bringing this resolution to the floor and ask that my colleagues join
us in supporting its passage.
Madam Speaker, Catholic education has and continues to make a
tremendous impact in the lives of students, families and communities
across America and in my home State of New Jersey. Last year, more than
2.3 million children were enrolled in over 7,000 Catholic schools
nationwide. The performance of Catholic schools is impressive. More
than 99 percent of its students graduate high school, and approximately
97 percent go on to college. The record clearly shows that students at
Catholic schools receive a quality education with an integrated focus
on the transcendent importance of God, academic excellence, advancement
beyond high school and fundamental morals.
Next week, January 25 to 31, marks the 36th annual celebration of
Catholic Schools Week. And this year's theme is to live the Gospel with
an emphasis on service. Students are encouraged to help others and
generously give of themselves expecting nothing whatsoever in return.
In the 25th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus admonished believers to
live a life of selfless service to others and specifically asked that
we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care
for the sick and disabled, visit the prisoner and welcome the stranger.
Identifying with the disenfranchised, the vulnerable and the weakest
among us, our Lord said, and I quote, whatsoever you do to the least of
My brethren, you do unto Me.
This year's theme celebrates service, encourages students to embrace
Matthew 25 and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Many
of America's poor and at risk will benefit from the students'
benevolence.
Catholic schools, Madam Speaker, are indeed an integral part of our
Nation's fundamental commitment to education and serve a cross-section
of American students. Catholic schools have a rich history of
welcoming, serving and educating new immigrants. With over 25 percent
of Catholic school enrollment from minority backgrounds and
approximately 14 percent actually being non-Catholics, it is evident
that this extraordinary institution meets the needs of a highly diverse
group of young people.
Finally, Madam Speaker, a 1972 pastoral message by the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning Catholic education summed up
the unique and extraordinary vision of Catholic education. They said in
pertinent part, and I quote: Education is
[[Page H401]]
one of the most important ways by which the church fulfills its
commitment to the dignity of the person and the 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 or her solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many
communities to which he or she lives.
{time} 1315
Again, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important
element of faith-based education which serves alongside America's
public and private schools to strengthen and reinforce our educational
system.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) for 3 minutes.
Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 39,
honoring Catholic Schools Week. Since the beginning of our Nation's
history, Catholic schools have played an important role in American
education. Catholic schools have an excellent reputation for providing
a strong academic and moral education, as well as teaching social
responsibility.
The Catholic schools in my district work hard to create an
environment where academic excellence and value-driven pride can be
fostered and embraced.
My wife Laurie and I and our two sons, Ken and B.J., attended
Catholic schools in northern Michigan, and realize the benefits of the
Catholic education system.
This week, let us pause, reflect and congratulate the administrators,
faculty, staff, students, and parents as we celebrate the dedicated
tradition of promoting education through our Catholic faith.
The long rich history of Catholic education would not be possible
without the financial commitment of those who make up our local
parishes and dioceses across our Nation.
H. Res. 39 acknowledges the hard work and dedication that Catholic
schools have contributed to building our local communities and our
Nation.
I am proud to cosponsor House Resolution 39, and support the many
Catholic schools in my district and across our Nation. I urge all of my
colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding, and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 39, to honor the
contributions of Catholic schools across the country, and in honor of
National Catholic Schools Week from January 25 through January 31.
I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Lipinski from Illinois and Mr.
Smith from New Jersey, for their leadership in bringing this resolution
to the House floor today.
As a graduate of Catholic elementary and high schools, Sacred Heart
Academy and Aquinas High School in Augusta, Georgia, I am keenly aware
of the contributions that they provide to the 2.3 million students
educated in Catholic schools across the country every year. These
include close to 1,200 students at three Catholic schools in my
district: St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw, St. Joseph's in my
hometown of Marietta, and St. Mary's in Rome, Georgia.
Not only do Catholic schools, like Sacred Heart and Aquinas, provide
a strong and competitive academic environment, they also teach moral
and ethical standards, skills for living and self-esteem, discipline
and respect for authority, and a Christian integration of spirit, mind
and body in each of their students.
Upon graduating from Aquinas, I thought that the Catholic school
curriculum would be what best prepared me for my future. However, I
must admit that I was wrong about that. While the strenuous academics
at Sacred Heart and Aquinas did lay the foundation for my success at
both Georgia Tech and The Medical College of Georgia, it was the faith
and ethical standards taught at these schools that truly prepared me
for any of life's struggles.
Madam Speaker, while opening and running my medical practice, the
respect for life taught at Sacred Heart and Aquinas led me to value and
care for life at all stages, indeed from the moment of conception until
natural death. Now that I have left my medical career to serve as a
Member of Congress, I find the lessons learned from my days at Catholic
schools more valuable now than ever. On a daily basis, I am confronted
by difficult questions that affect millions of lives. If it were not
for the moral standards and faith in God taught at Sacred Heart and
Aquinas, I do not believe I could properly represent the people of
northwest Georgia.
Madam Speaker, our education system is only made stronger by Catholic
schools in northwest Georgia and throughout the Nation which fully
prepare their students for a brighter future.
I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 39.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, while in my district in North Carolina we
are blessed with excellent public schools, many districts across the
country are not as fortunate. Some places, though, are fortunate to
have the choice of having charter schools and Catholic schools. It is
important that citizens continue to have these choices, particularly
because of the excellent record that Catholic schools have in this
country.
Catholic education is a vital linchpin in America's education system.
Catholic educators, with their emphasis on academic excellence, as well
as the development of each student's character and spiritual well-being
play a vital role in cultivating the next generation of leaders in the
Nation.
There are two Catholic schools with a strong reputation for education
excellence in the Fourth Congressional District of North Carolina:
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and St. Leo the Great Catholic
School.
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School was founded in 1959, and has
been recognized by the Catholic High School Honor Roll as one of the
top 50 Catholic high schools in the United States. This coed college
prep high school is located in Kernersville, North Carolina, in the
heart of the Triad.
St Leo's is a K-8 Catholic school located in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina, built in 1953. St. Leo's is the oldest Catholic school in
Winston-Salem, and has a reputation for educating students who are not
only academic achievers but also people of sterling character.
It is an honor to represent these two fine schools in Congress, and I
look forward to seeing the lives they change in the coming years
through their emphasis on high quality Catholic education. It is a
pleasure to join my colleagues here today in congratulating 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.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I thank you for your competent and
professional manner in presiding today, and I yield myself the balance
of my time in wrapping this discussion up.
I am very pleased to participate in this discussion today because I
believe that Catholic schools and religious schools play an extremely
important part in our American educational system.
I often deplore the fact that the Catholic schools and other
religious schools, Christian and otherwise, do not get a fair shake in
this Nation as compared to many other nations. I know when I lived in
Europe for a year you could designate on your income tax how much you
wanted to be delegated to schools of your choice, and they could be
private schools, public schools, religious schools, what have you. That
struck me as an eminently fair system. I don't expect we will ever have
that in this country, but I do regret, given the excellent work that
the Catholic schools do, and that other Christian and religious schools
do in
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educating students who are troubled, that we do not call upon these
schools more often to help educate more of the children of this Nation.
I recall years ago when I joined some others in helping to raise
money for scholarships for children who were troubled in their public
schools, and who had great difficulties with their fellow students, and
were getting into fights. We raised scholarship money so they could
attend the Christian schools. Then a remarkable transformation
occurred. Many of them became far better students and graduated and
went on to good careers. I am convinced we can multiply this effort
many times over, and I hope that the people of this country continue to
contribute to these schools.
I was sorry to hear Mr. Lipinski say that the school that his wife
attended is closing. That is a story that we are hearing far too often
across this land. We are losing something very important when we have
schools this good, with the superb records that we heard outlined by
several speakers here, that they are closing while at the same time the
students who would go there are going to other schools which are not
serving them as well.
So I just want to do a little editorializing here because I do think
that the Catholic schools, and many other schools in this country, do
so much for our Nation, and yet do not receive the recognition and
certainly do not receive any financial support from either Federal or
State governments. I think it is our loss if they close and are no
longer able to help the students that they do help so well.
Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Catholic
Schools Week.
Next week, the Nation's nearly 8,000 Catholic schools will celebrate
Catholic Schools Week. Catholic schools have made many significant
contributions to the education of our Nation's children.
In the Greater St. Louis region, Catholic schools have had a
longstanding and proud tradition in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The
percentage of Catholic families who choose Catholic schools for their
children is among the highest in the country. Currently, there are
about 51,000 students enrolled in our Catholic elementary and high
schools.
Catholic schools foster an atmosphere of mutual respect. Students
learn to value God, themselves, and others. As Pope Benedict XVI noted
in his remarks at Catholic University during his Apostolic Visit to the
U.S. last spring, ``Education is integral to the mission of the Church
to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic
educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in
Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. This relationship
elicits a desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ
and his teaching. In this way those who meet him are drawn by the very
power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is
beautiful, good, and true; a life of Christian witness nurtured and
strengthened within the community of our Lord's disciples, the
Church.''
Today I would like to recognize and commend our Catholic educators
who are committed to a living and vibrant faith community founded on
the Catholic tradition of academic excellence and thank them for
enriching the lives of the children they teach spiritually,
academically and socially.
I strongly support the goals of Catholic Schools Week 2009 and laud
their efforts to educate students dedicated to their faith, families,
and values.
Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for
H. Res. 39, a resolution honoring the contributions of Catholic
schools.
I thank my colleague from Illinois, Representative Lipinski, for
sponsoring this important resolution.
Catholic schools are a true treasure--not just in my district in the
Inland Empire of California--but throughout the United States of
America.
Teachers and administrators in America's Catholic schools work
tirelessly to educate students of all backgrounds, in communities
across the Nation--including some of our most impoverished
neighborhoods.
They do a tremendous job of teaching and imparting critical values,
while often working under the most difficult school funding
circumstances.
In a time when the No Child Left Behind Act has failed too many of
America's best and brightest--the vast majority of Catholic school
students not only graduate from high school, but also go on to college.
I commend the men and women who make America's Catholic schools a
reality and thank them for the commitment and faith they place in the
well being of their students.
I urge my colleagues to honor the positive impact of Catholic schools
on the children of the United States, and support H. Res. 39.
Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 39
to honor the immense influences and contributions that Catholic schools
have made on their students and their surrounding communities. For
centuries, Catholic schools have provided families with a strong
alternative to the public school system, offering a vital faith
component that enhances a child's overall education sadly unwelcome in
the halls of our local public schools.
A Catholic education prepares our Nation's youth to lead lives of
commitment to the message of Jesus Christ while at the same time
fostering an environment for academic success. It continuously
challenges its students to a life-long pursuit of intellectual growth
both in and outside the classroom while also stressing the need to take
an active role in the betterment of their neighborhood and community.
But most importantly, Madam Speaker, Catholic schools instill in their
student body the precious ideal of setting one's heart upon things
above, not merely on goods on earth--a much needed lesson in a society
that is quick to get caught up in the latest gadget and the never-
ending chase for dollars.
Madam Speaker, I stand today to humbly honor the contributions
Catholic schools make to the betterment of our society, and pray for
their continued success.
Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I want to thank speakers on both sides
of the aisle for supporting this resolution, it is a wonderful
resolution, and I urge its passage.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 39.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________