III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 539 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States and 

celebrating the 50th annual National Catholic Schools Week. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 31, 2024 

Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. CASEY) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the 

United States and celebrating the 50th annual National 

Catholic Schools Week. 

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and 

provide approximately 1,700,000 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 United States by providing a diverse student population from all regions of 

the United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds 

with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 


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•SRES 539 ATS 

29.4 percent of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.8 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 20.8 

percent from non-Catholic families, according to the 

2023–2024 National Catholic Education Association survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the 

United States; 

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 

that promotes 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 

2023–2024 academic year is 1,700,000, and the studentteacher ratio is 10 to 1, according to the 2023–2024 National Catholic Education Association survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United States; 

Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 percent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; 

Whereas the week of January 28, 2024, to February 3, 2024, 

has been designated as ‘‘National Catholic Schools 

Week’’ by the National Catholic Educational Association 

and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; 

Whereas, this year, National Catholic Schools Week marks a 

significant milestone and celebrates its 50th anniversary, 

having been first established in 1974; and 


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Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024 

is ‘‘Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community’’, 

which reflects the fact that Catholic schools, united in 

their faith, expand beyond the walls of the classroom to 

envelop the parents and families of students as integral 

parts of the school community: 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 elemen9 tary and secondary schools in the United 

10 States; 

11 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 

12 Association and the United States Conference of 

13 Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that 

14 all can celebrate; and 

15 (3) supports— 

16 (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, stu17 dents, parents, and teachers across the United 

18 States toward academic excellence; and 


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1 (B) the key role they play in promoting 

2 and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the 

3 United States. 

Æ 


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