[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 28, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H1435-H1436]
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

[[Page H1436]]

Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of an important 
week for my community, but also for our Nation as a whole.
  This is the 40th annual Catholic Schools Week, and it is a time to 
recognize the importance of parochial education on the fabric of our 
community and our country. This year's theme truly encapsulates the 
critical mission of Catholic schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, 
and Service. These are important things to teach our children.
  Yesterday, I was happy to be able to stop by St. Mark's School in 
historic Bristol, Bucks County, and meet with schoolchildren there. St. 
Mark's School has been providing a top-rate education for Bucks County 
families for over 125 years, and, like all Catholic schools, their 
connection to their community is deep and vital.
  Parents are involved at the school. They were there at the school 
when I arrived, running a book fair for the students. The teachers 
sacrifice greatly for the children, as do the families make sacrifices 
to send their children to St. Mark's and to other Catholic schools 
throughout our country.
  As a Catholic school graduate, the husband of a Catholic school 
teacher, and a parent also, I understand how important it is to draw 
attention to the academic, the faith development, and the community 
service excellence performed year-round in Catholic schools.
  Mr. Speaker, there are few things more important to a parent than the 
success of our children in and out of the classroom. One of the most 
important decisions a parent makes is the school that will educate 
their children.
  National Catholic Schools Week is a time to recognize the importance 
of school choice for families looking to increase access to opportunity 
and the American Dream for future generations, and also to say thank 
you to the parishes and schools that serve our children this week and 
every week.

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