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[Page S438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 482--SUPPORTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Mr. TOOMEY (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Manchin) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions:
S. Res. 482
Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are
internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and
provide students with more than just 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 country and all socioeconomic backgrounds, a strong
academic and moral foundation, and of that student
population--
(1) 39 percent of students are from racial and ethnic
minority backgrounds; and
(2) 19 percent of students are from non-Catholic families;
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 rich
in spiritual, character, and moral development;
Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community
service, producing graduates who hold ``helping others'' as a
core value;
Whereas, during the 2018-2019 academic year in the United
States, almost 1,800,000 students were enrolled in Catholic
schools and the student-teacher ratio for Catholic schools
was 12 to 1;
Whereas the graduation rate of students from Catholic high
schools is 99 percent, with 86 percent of graduates attending
4-year colleges;
Whereas, in the 2005 pastoral message entitled ``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 as ``National Appreciation Day for
Catholic Schools'';
Whereas 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 United
States; and
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2020
is ``Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.'': 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 the
selection of a theme that all people can celebrate; and
(3) supports--
(A) the dedication of Catholic schools, students, parents,
and teachers across the United States to academic excellence;
and
(B) the key role that Catholic schools, students, parents,
and teachers across the United States play in promoting and
ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States.
____________________
