[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H225-H226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, as a proud graduate of St. Symphorosa 
Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep, and as a strong supporter 
of Catholic education, I have again this year introduced a resolution 
in honor of Catholic Schools Week to highlight the contributions 
Catholic schools make, not only to the students who attend them, but to 
our entire Nation.
  Since 1974, the National Catholic Educational Association and the 
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have provided leadership 
in planning and organizing Catholic Schools Week. This year, it is 
celebrated from January 29 through February 5. The theme, ``Faith, 
Academics, Service,'' celebrates the broad educational experience 
Catholic school students receive. Catholic school students are not only 
focused on academic excellence but also on enriching the spiritual 
character and moral development of young Americans.
  America's Catholic schools produce graduates with the skills and 
integrity needed by our businesses, governments, and communities, 
emphasizing a well-rounded education and instilling the values of 
giving back to the community and helping others. Nearly every Catholic 
school has a community service program, and their students volunteer 
half-a-million hours every year to their parishes and communities. My 
own decision to pursue a career in teaching and then in public service 
was fostered in part by the dedicated teachers throughout my years in 
Catholic schools.
  Today, over 2 million elementary and secondary students are enrolled 
in nearly 7,000 Catholic schools, where these students typically excel. 
They surpass their peers in math, science, reading, history, and 
geography in NAEP tests. The graduation rate for Catholic high school 
students is 99 percent, and 85 percent of the graduates of these 
schools attend a 4-year college. As we continue to hear disturbing 
reports about our national test scores, these statistics are truly 
remarkable and should be commended.
  Notably, the success of Catholic schools does not depend on 
selectivity. These academic achievements are realized by students from 
all walks of life. Catholic schools accept 9 out of every 10 students 
who apply, and are highly effective in providing a quality education to 
students from every socioeconomic group, especially disadvantaged 
youths in underserved urban communities. Over the past 30 years, the 
percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic schools has more 
than doubled, and today they constitute almost one-third of all 
Catholic school students. In times of economic hardship, Catholic 
schools provide an affordable alternative to other forms of private 
education.
  In addition to producing well-rounded students, Catholic schools save 
taxpayers billions of dollars each year by lowering the number of 
students in already overburdened public schools. It is estimated that 
taxpayers save over $1 billion from students attending Catholic schools 
in the Chicago area alone and approximately $20 billion nationwide. The 
importance of these savings is undeniable as we in Congress and as 
lawmakers across the country struggle with deficits.
  I was born and raised and live in the Chicago Archdiocese, home to 
one of the most successful Catholic school

[[Page H226]]

systems in the Nation, and my parish school at St. John of the Cross 
has one of the best schools in the archdiocese. Right next-door, the 
Joliet Diocese also has a thriving Catholic school system. The focus of 
this year's Catholic Schools Week, ``Faith, Academics, Service,'' 
reflects my own Catholic education. The knowledge, discipline, desire 
to serve, and love of learning it instilled in me enabled me to earn my 
doctorate and to 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 less than they could earn elsewhere. I have many fond 
memories of my teachers, including those of many nuns, who taught me 
the value of faith, learning, and service. Throughout the United 
States, millions of others have similar memories of dedicated sisters, 
priests, and lay teachers who gave their hearts and souls to their 
students.
  This week, I had the honor of celebrating Catholic Schools Week at a 
number of schools, including St. Andrew School in Romeoville, Everest 
Academy in Lemont, St. Michael School in Orland Park, Cardinal Joseph 
Bernadine School in Orland Hills, and my alma mater, St. Symphorosa in 
Chicago. I also joined St. Linus School in Oak Lawn in celebrating, not 
only Catholic Schools Week, but also the school's prestigious Blue 
Ribbon award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
outstanding education Catholic schools provide to Americans across the 
country as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week

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