[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S486-S487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 33--SUPPORTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

  Mr. TOOMEY (for himself 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) 22 percent of students are from racial minority 
     backgrounds;
       (2) 18.1 percent of students are of Hispanic heritage; and
       (3) 24.5 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 2020-2021 academic year was almost 1,650,000, and the 
     student-teacher ratio 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.... Our Catholic schools have 
     produced countless numbers of well-educated and moral 
     citizens who are leaders in our civic and ecclesial 
     communities.'';
       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 2021 
     of ``Catholic Schools: Learn. Faith. Excellence. Service.'' 
     reflects Catholic schools' purpose to form students to be 
     good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich 
     society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of 
     faith: 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--

[[Page S487]]

       (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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