Title: A resolution supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Expresses support for: (1) 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 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]
[S. Res. 47 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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 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, 
        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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (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 
        United States.
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