[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 30, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 22--RECOGNIZING THE GOALS OF 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:

                               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 
     2,031,455 students and maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 
     13 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 85 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on 
     to college;
       Whereas Catholic schools produce students who are strongly 
     dedicated to 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 ongoing contributions 
     to education and for playing a vital role in promoting and 
     ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States.

                          ____________________