III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 47 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 3, 2017 

Mr. DONNELLY (for himself, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. TOOMEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

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 provide a high level of service to the 

United States by providing a diverse student population 

from all regions of the country and all socio-economic 

backgrounds, with 36.4 percent of students from ethnic 

and racial backgrounds and 17.4 percent of whom are 


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•SRES 47 IS 

non-Catholic, with a strong academic and moral foundation; 

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’’ as 

one of their core values; 

Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 

2015–2016 academic year was almost 2,000,000 and the 

student-teacher ratio was 13.1 to 1; 

Whereas Catholic schools educate a diverse population: 20.3 

percent racial minorities; 16.1 percent Hispanic/Latino; 

17.4 percent non-Catholic; 

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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•SRES 47 IS 

but also the destinies of the many communities in which 

he lives.’’; 

Whereas the week of January 29, 2017, to February 4, 2017, 

has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week 

by the National Catholic Educational Association and the 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and February 1, 2017, as National Appreciation Day for Catholic 

Schools; 

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

past 43 years; 

Whereas, while some Catholic schools are challenged by declining enrollments and school closures, the good news is 

that there is a strong demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools; 

Whereas 32 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 2017 

is Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge 

and Service: 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; 


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•SRES 47 IS 

1 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 

2 Association and the United States Conference of 

3 Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that 

4 all can celebrate; and 

5 (3) supports the continued dedication of Catho6 lic schools, students, parents, and teachers across 

7 the United States toward academic excellence, and 

8 supports the key role they play in promoting and en9 suring a brighter, stronger future for the United 

10 States. 

Æ 


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