III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 33 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 28, 2019 

Mr. TOOMEY (for himself, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. CASEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

FEBRUARY 6, 2019 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. 

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 


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SRES 33 ATS 

academic and moral foundation, and of that student population— 

(1) more than 38 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 the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 

2018–2019 academic year is almost 1,800,000, with a 

student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1; 

Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 percent, with 87 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; 

Whereas, in the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic 

education, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops 

stated: ‘‘Education is one of the most important ways by 

which the Church fulfills its commitment to the dignity 

of the person and building of community. Community is 

central to education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently desired goal. The educational efforts 

of the Church, therefore, must be directed to forming 

persons-in-community; for the education of the individual 

Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, 


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but also the destinies of the many communities in which 

he lives.’’; 

Whereas the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, 

has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week 

by the National Catholic Educational Association and the 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and January 30, 2019, has been designated National Appreciation 

Day for Catholic Schools; 

Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the 

past 45 years; 

Whereas, while Catholic schools must work hard to maintain 

enrollment, the demand and enthusiasm for Catholic 

schools remains strong; 

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 2019 

is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals of National Catholic 

3 Schools Week, an event— 

4 (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic 

5 Educational Association and the United States 

6 Conference of Catholic Bishops; and 

7 (B) established to recognize the vital con8 tributions of the thousands of Catholic elemenVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:49 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR33.ATS SR33

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1 tary and secondary schools in the United 

2 States; 

3 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 

4 Association and the United States Conference of 

5 Catholic Bishops on the selection of a theme that all 

6 people can celebrate; and 

7 (3) supports— 

8 (A) the continued dedication of Catholic 

9 schools, students, parents, and teachers across 

10 the United States to academic excellence; and 

11 (B) the key role that Catholic schools, stu12 dents, parents, and teachers across the United 

13 States play in promoting and ensuring a bright14 er, stronger future for the United States. 

Æ 


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