[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 539 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 539

 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States 
    and celebrating the 50th annual National Catholic Schools Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   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
    Resolved, 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.
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