[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 95]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

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                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2002

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Catholic Schools Week, a time set aside to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of the Catholic schools of our nation. Catholic schools 
have displayed an exemplary ability to educate the youth of our great 
country. They have shown their dedication to the students whom they 
serve, providing tuition assistance to the vast majority of their 
students and an ample number of teachers in order to ensure that each 
child gets the attention he or she needs to succeed. Moreover, Catholic 
schools maintain a diverse student body, with children from all income 
levels, racial and ethnic groups, and religious backgrounds receiving 
an education within their walls.
  In order to find proof of the accomplishments of Catholic schools 
here in the United States, one need only examine the caliber of the 
students they produce. An impressive ninety-seven percent of Catholic 
school graduates continue their education on a postsecondary level. 
African-American and Latino students advance to college at thrice the 
rate of their public school counterparts, making clear the commitment 
of Catholic schools to all children. These successes have led to a 
dramatic increase in demand on the part of Catholic schools, with 
current enrollment at over 2\1/2\ million students and almost half of 
Catholic schools currently maintaining a waiting list for admission.
  Among those schools living up to such stellar standards are the 
fifteen Catholic schools located in Michigan's Sixth Congressional 
District, which I represent here in Washington. I would like to offer 
my congratulations to the many individuals who have contributed to 
these schools, including students, parents, teachers, and 
administrators. Due to the hard work and ongoing efforts of these 
individuals, Catholic schools have become an inspiration to those 
everywhere who care deeply about education.

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