[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2053]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 26, a 
resolution honoring the contributions of Catholic schools. I am pleased 
to have voted for this bipartisan resolution when it was passed 
unanimously by the House of Representatives last night.
  The tremendous success of Catholic schools is evident around the 
country and particularly in the Fifth Congressional District of 
Illinois where outstanding scholastic progress has been achieved in 
schools like St. Ferdinand Catholic Elementary, St. Patrick High 
School, and Notre Dame High School for Girls. These schools provide 
strong academic curriculums and engender significant parental 
involvement. They not only teach students the importance of academic 
achievement, but also provide a balanced perspective on life that 
promotes responsibility, justice and social service.
  Catholic schools also promote ethnic and racial diversity. Increasing 
numbers of children in Catholic schools in my district come from our 
minority communities. We must also recognize that students in Catholic 
schools are achieving exceptionally high graduation rates with 
increasing numbers advancing to higher education and giving back to the 
community through volunteer service.
  It is also important to recognize that the Catholic school experience 
fosters more than just scholastic excellence. It provides spiritual 
guidance to students by encouraging fundamental ideals and an 
appreciation for family values, community service, and faith in their 
own lives. This, in turn, shapes Catholic school students into leaders 
of tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this important resolution and encourage 
Catholic schools in my district and across the United States to 
continue contributing to the development of strong moral, intellectual 
and social values in America's young people.

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