[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 17 (Monday, January 28, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S701-S702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 33--SUPPORTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

  Mr. TOOMEY (for himself, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Casey) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                               S. Res. 33

       Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are 
     internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and 
     provide students with more than just an exceptional 
     scholastic education;
       Whereas Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added 
     education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, 
     intellectual, physical, and social values in young people in 
     the United States;
       Whereas Catholic schools serve the United States by 
     providing a diverse student population, from all regions of 
     the country and all socioeconomic backgrounds, a strong 
     academic and moral foundation, and of that student 
     population--
       (1) more than 38 percent of students are from racial and 
     ethnic minority backgrounds; and
       (2) 19 percent of students are from non-Catholic families;
       Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for 
     parents, particularly in underserved urban areas;
       Whereas Catholic schools produce students who are strongly 
     dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities 
     by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich 
     in spiritual, character, and moral development;
       Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community 
     service, producing graduates who hold ``helping others'' as a 
     core value;
       Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for 
     the 2018-2019 academic year is almost 1,800,000, with a 
     student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1;
       Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 
     percent, with 87 percent of graduates attending 4-year 
     colleges;
       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.'';
       Whereas the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, 
     has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week by the 
     National Catholic Educational Association and the United 
     States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and January 30, 2019, 
     has been designated National Appreciation Day for Catholic 
     Schools;
       Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first 
     established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the 
     past 45 years;
       Whereas, while Catholic schools must work hard to maintain 
     enrollment, the demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools 
     remains strong;
       Whereas 30 percent of Catholic schools have waiting lists 
     for admission, and new schools are opening across the United 
     States; and
       Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2019 
     is Catholic Schools:

[[Page S702]]

     Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, 
     an event--
       (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational 
     Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 
     Bishops; and
       (B) established to recognize the vital contributions of the 
     thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the 
     United States;
       (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational Association 
     and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on the 
     selection of a theme that all people can celebrate; and
       (3) supports--
       (A) the continued dedication of Catholic schools, students, 
     parents, and teachers across the United States to academic 
     excellence; and
       (B) the key role that Catholic schools, students, parents, 
     and teachers across the United States play in promoting and 
     ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States.

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