H. Res. 1008 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

January 19, 2010. 

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

provide students with more than an exceptional scholastic 

education; 

Whereas Catholic schools ensure a broad, values-added education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in young people in 

the United States; 

Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 

2008–2009 academic year was nearly 2,200,000 and the 

student-teacher ratio was 14 to 1; 

Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students; 

Whereas nearly 30 percent of school children enrolled in 

Catholic schools are from minority backgrounds, and 

nearly 15 percent are non-Catholics; 

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 in 2000, the Catholic high school graduation rate 

was 99 percent, with 80 percent of graduates attending 
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four-year colleges and 17 percent attending two-year colleges or technical schools; 

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 31, 2010, to February 6, 2010, 

has been designated as Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United 

States Conference of Catholic Bishops; 

Whereas the Nation’s Catholic schools emphasize the lifelong 

development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social 

values in addition to academic excellence; 

Whereas Catholic schools educate a diverse group of students 

from all regions of the country; and 

Whereas the theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week 

2010 is ‘‘Dividends for Life—Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, and Morals’’: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an 

event co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational 

Association and the United States Conference of Catho-
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lic Bishops and established to recognize the vital contributions of the thousands of Catholic elementary and 

secondary schools in the United States; 

(2) applauds the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 

Bishops on their selection of a theme that all can celebrate; and 

(3) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the Nation for their ongoing 

contributions to education, and for the key role they play 

in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future 

for this Nation. 

Attest: 

Clerk.