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. 889 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 889

           Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 28, 2022

   Mr. LaHood (for himself, Mr. Neal, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Graves of 
   Louisiana, Mr. Latta, Mr. Garbarino, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Langevin, Mr. 
 Costa, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Mooney, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mrs. Walorski, 
  Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Kelly of 
   Pennsylvania, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, and Mr. 
 Suozzi) 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 while about 70 Catholic schools were forced to close or merge at the end 
        of the 2021 school year, 20 Catholic schools have now opened;
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 21.4 
        percent of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.6 percent from 
        Hispanic heritage, and 20.1 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 2021-2022 academic 
        year was over 1,680,000, and the average student-teacher ratio was 11.5 
        to 1;
Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.0 percent, with 85.2 
        percent of graduates attending a 4-year college;
Whereas the week of January 30, 2022, to February 5, 2022, 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 48 years; and
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is ``Catholic Schools: 
        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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