[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S214-S215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 364--RECOGNIZING THE GOALS OF NATIONAL CATHOLIC 
   SCHOOLS WEEK AND HONORING THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC 
                      SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. VITTER (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Johanns) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

[[Page S215]]

                              S. Res. 364

       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 
     more than 2,000,000 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 99 percent;
       Whereas 97 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 National 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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