[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 27, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to 
consideration of S. Res. 22, which was submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 22) recognizing the goals of Catholic 
     Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of 
     Catholic schools in the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid on the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 22) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 22

       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 
     2,270,913 students and maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 
     14 to 1;
       Whereas the faculty members of Catholic schools teach a 
     highly diverse body of students;
       Whereas the graduation rate for all Catholic school 
     students is 95 percent;
       Whereas 83 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on 
     to college;
       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) recognizes 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) commends 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 the 
     United States.

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