[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 17--SUPPORTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 
                          IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 17

       Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are 
     internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and 
     provide approximately 1,700,000 students with more than 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 United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds with a 
     strong academic and moral foundation, including 21.5 percent 
     of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.6 percent 
     from Hispanic heritage, and 20.3 percent from non-Catholic 
     families;
       Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for 
     parents, particularly in underserved urban areas;
       Whereas Catholic schools produce students 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'' 
     among their core values;
       Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for 
     the 2022-2023 academic year is 1,700,000, and the student-
     teacher ratio is 11 to 1;
       Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 
     percent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year 
     colleges;
       Whereas the week of January 29, 2023, to February 4, 2023, 
     has been designated as ``National Catholic Schools Week'' by 
     the National Catholic Educational Association and the United 
     States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
       Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first 
     established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the 
     past 49 years; and
       Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2023 
     is ``Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.'' which 
     reflects the purpose of Catholic schools 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 their selection of a theme that all can celebrate; 
     and
         (3) supports--
         (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, students, 
     parents, and teachers across the United States toward 
     academic excellence; and
         (B) the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a 
     brighter, stronger future for the United States.

                          ____________________