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

Summary:
This resolution supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, an event 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.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 66 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 66

           Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 28, 2021

 Mr. LaHood (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Latta, Mr. Diaz-
 Balart, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Mooney, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Rodney Davis of 
   Illinois, Mr. Wright, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. 
 Rutherford) 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 although more than 200 Catholic schools were forced to close at the end 
        of the 2020 school year due to the economic impact of COVID-19, more 
        than 80 percent of the 6,000 schools are presently open for full-time, 
        in-person classroom instruction in accordance with State and local 
        safety guidelines;
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 with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 22 
        percent of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.1 percent from 
        Hispanic heritage, and 24.5 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 2020-2021 academic 
        year was almost 1,650,000, and the student-teacher ratio was 12 to 1;
Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 percent, with over 85 
        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 31, 2021, to February 6, 2021, has been designated 
        as ``National Catholic Schools Week'' by the National Catholic 
        Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 
        Bishops;
Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has 
        been celebrated annually for the past 47 years; and
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2021 is ``Catholic Schools: 
        Learn. Faith. Excellence. Service.'' and reflects Catholic schools' 
        purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and 
        neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by 
        example of faith: 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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