A resolution supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 33 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JANUARY 28, 2019 Mr. TOOMEY (for himself, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. CASEY) sub- mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions FEBRUARY 6, 2019 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 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 just an exceptional scho- lastic education; Whereas Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added edu- cation emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, in- tellectual, physical, and social values in young people in the United States; Whereas Catholic schools serve the United States by pro- viding a diverse student population, from all regions of the country and all socioeconomic backgrounds, a strong VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:49 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR33.ATS SR33 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 SRES 33 ATS academic and moral foundation, and of that student pop- ulation— (1) more than 38 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 par- ents, 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 serv- ice, producing graduates who hold ‘‘helping others’’ as a core value; Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2018–2019 academic year is almost 1,800,000, with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 per- cent, with 87 percent of graduates attending 4-year col- leges; Whereas, in the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic education, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops stated: ‘‘Education is one of the most important ways by which the Church fulfills its commitment to the dignity of the person and building of community. Community is central to education ministry, both as a necessary condi- tion and an ardently desired goal. The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:49 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR33.ATS SR33 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 SRES 33 ATS but also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives.’’; Whereas the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Janu- ary 30, 2019, has been designated National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools; Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first estab- lished in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the past 45 years; Whereas, while Catholic schools must work hard to maintain enrollment, the demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools remains strong; 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 2019 is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the goals of National Catholic 2 Schools Week, an event— 3 (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic 4 Educational Association and the United States 5 Conference of Catholic Bishops; and 6 (B) established to recognize the vital con- 7 tributions of the thousands of Catholic elemen- 8 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:49 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR33.ATS SR33 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 4 SRES 33 ATS tary and secondary schools in the United 1 States; 2 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 3 Association and the United States Conference of 4 Catholic Bishops on the selection of a theme that all 5 people can celebrate; and 6 (3) supports— 7 (A) the continued dedication of Catholic 8 schools, students, parents, and teachers across 9 the United States to academic excellence; and 10 (B) the key role that Catholic schools, stu- 11 dents, parents, and teachers across the United 12 States play in promoting and ensuring a bright- 13 er, stronger future for the United States. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:49 Feb 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR33.ATS SR33 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS