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

Summary:
This resolution supports (1) the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. 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 to academic excellence and the key role they play in promoting a brighter future.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 792 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 792

           Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 14, 2020

     Mr. Lipinski (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Courtney, Mr. 
Gallagher, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Mooney 
  of West Virginia, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Latta, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. 
   LaHood, and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 39 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 2018-2019 academic 
        year was almost 1,800,000 and the student-teacher ratio was 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 2005 pastoral message ``Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic 
        Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium'', the United 
        States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, ``Catholic schools are 
        often the Church's most effective contribution to those families who are 
        poor and disadvantaged, especially in poor inner city neighborhoods and 
        rural areas. Catholic schools cultivate healthy interaction among the 
        increasingly diverse populations of our society. In cities and rural 
        areas, Catholic schools are often the only opportunity for economically 
        disadvantaged young people to receive an education of quality that 
        speaks to the development of the whole person. Our Catholic schools have 
        produced countless numbers of well-educated and moral citizens who are 
        leaders in our civic and ecclesial communities.'';
Whereas the week of January 26, 2020, to February 1, 2020, has been designated 
        as National Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational 
        Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and 
        January 29, 2020, 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 46 years;
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 2020 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 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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