Title: Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Expresses support for: (1) the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the contributions of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and (2) the continued dedication of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers toward academic excellence and the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the nation.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 692 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 692

           Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 12, 2018

   Mr. Lipinski (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Bishop of 
 Georgia, Ms. Bordallo, Mrs. Comstock, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Fitzpatrick, 
  Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Jones, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. 
 Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Latta, 
 Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Serrano, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Yarmuth, 
and Mr. LaHood) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
            to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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;
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 
        January 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 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 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, 
        an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational 
        Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 
        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) supports the continued dedication of Catholic schools, 
        students, parents, and teachers across the United States toward 
        academic excellence, and supports the key role they play in 
        promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the 
        Nation.
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