[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





SENATE RESOLUTION 482--SUPPORTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

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

                              S. Res. 482

       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) 39 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, during the 2018-2019 academic year in the United 
     States, almost 1,800,000 students were enrolled in Catholic 
     schools and the student-teacher ratio for Catholic schools 
     was 12 to 1;
       Whereas the graduation rate of students from Catholic high 
     schools is 99 percent, with 86 percent of graduates attending 
     4-year colleges;
       Whereas, in the 2005 pastoral message entitled ``Renewing 
     Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 
     in the Third Millennium'', the United States Conference of 
     Catholic Bishops stated, ``Catholic schools are often the 
     Church's most effective contribution to those families who 
     are poor and disadvantaged, especially in poor inner city 
     neighborhoods and rural areas. Catholic schools cultivate 
     healthy interaction among the increasingly diverse 
     populations of our society. In cities and rural areas, 
     Catholic schools are often the only opportunity for 
     economically disadvantaged young people to receive an 
     education of quality that speaks to the development of the 
     whole person. . . . Our Catholic schools have produced 
     countless numbers of well-educated and moral citizens who are 
     leaders in our civic and ecclesial communities.'';
       Whereas the week of January 26, 2020, to February 1, 2020, 
     has been designated as ``National Catholic Schools Week'' by 
     the National Catholic Educational Association and the United 
     States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and January 29, 2020, 
     has been designated as ``National Appreciation Day for 
     Catholic Schools'';
       Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first 
     established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the 
     past 46 years;
       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 2020 
     is ``Catholic Schools: 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 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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