III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 382 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 25, 2018 

Mr. DONNELLY (for himself, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. CASEY) 

submitted the following resolution; which was 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 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 Nation by providing a diverse student population from all regions of the country 

and all socioeconomic backgrounds a strong academic and 

moral foundation, including 41.4 percent of students 

from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and 19 percent from non-Catholic families; 


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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 

2017–2018 academic year is almost 1,900,000 and the 

student-teacher ratio is 12 to 1; 

Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 percent, with 86 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, 

but also the destinies of the many communities in which 

he lives.’’; 

Whereas the week of January 28, 2018, to February 3, 2018, 

has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week 

by the National Catholic Educational Association and the 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and JanuVerDate Sep 11 2014 20:58 Jan 25, 2018 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR382.ATS SR382

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ary 31, 2018, has been designated National Appreciation 

Day for Catholic Schools; 

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

past 44 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 country; and 

Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2018 

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 cosponsored by the National 

4 Catholic Educational Association and the United 

5 States Conference of Catholic Bishops and estab6 lished to recognize the vital contributions of the 

7 thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary 

8 schools in the United States; 

9 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 

10 Association and the United States Conference of 

11 Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that 

12 all can celebrate; and 

13 (3) supports the continued dedication of Catho14 lic schools, students, parents, and teachers across 


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1 the United States toward academic excellence, and 

2 supports the key role they play in promoting and en3 suring a brighter, stronger future for the Nation. 

Æ 


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