Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.

IV 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 re- ferred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are inter- nationally 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 per- cent 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 edu- cation emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, in- VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:48 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR66.IH HR66 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 66 IH tellectual, physical, and social values in young people in the United States; Whereas Catholic schools serve the Nation by providing a di- verse student population from all regions of the country and all socioeconomic backgrounds with a strong aca- demic and moral foundation, including 22 percent of stu- dents 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 par- ents, particularly in underserved urban areas; Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by pro- viding an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral development; Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community serv- ice, 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 per- cent, with over 85 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; Whereas, in the 2005 pastoral message ‘‘Renewing Our Com- mitment 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 cul- VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:48 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR66.IH HR66 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 66 IH tivate healthy interaction among the increasingly diverse populations of our society. In cities and rural areas, Catholic schools are often the only opportunity for eco- nomically disadvantaged young people to receive an edu- cation of quality that speaks to the development of the whole person. Our Catholic schools have produced count- less 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 estab- lished 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 exam- ple of faith: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the goals of National Catholic 2 Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National 3 Catholic Educational Association and the United 4 States Conference of Catholic Bishops and estab- 5 lished to recognize the vital contributions of the 6 thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary 7 schools in the United States; 8 VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:48 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR66.IH HR66 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 66 IH (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 1 Association and the United States Conference of 2 Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that 3 all can celebrate; and 4 (3) supports the dedication of Catholic schools, 5 students, parents, and teachers across the United 6 States toward academic excellence, and supports the 7 key role they play in promoting and ensuring a 8 brighter, stronger future for the Nation. 9 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:48 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR66.IH HR66 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS