III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 539 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 31, 2024 Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Casey ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States and celebrating the 50th annual National Catholic Schools Week.

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and provide approximately 1,700,000 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 United States by providing a diverse student population from all regions of the United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 29.4 percent of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.8 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 20.8 percent from non-Catholic families, according to the 2023–2024 National Catholic Education Association survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United States; Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for parents, particularly in underserved urban areas; Whereas Catholic schools produce students who are strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment that promotes 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 2023–2024 academic year is 1,700,000, and the student-teacher ratio is 10 to 1, according to the 2023–2024 National Catholic Education Association survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United States; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 percent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; Whereas the week of January 28, 2024, to February 3, 2024, has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Whereas, this year, National Catholic Schools Week marks a significant milestone and celebrates its 50 th anniversary, having been first established in 1974; and Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024 is Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community , which reflects the fact that Catholic schools, united in their faith, expand beyond the walls of the classroom to envelop the parents and families of students as integral parts of the school community: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, an event— (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and (B) 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— (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the United States toward academic excellence; and (B) the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States.