A resolution supporting the contributions of Catholic schools.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 482 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JANUARY 21, 2020 Mr. TOOMEY (for himself, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. MANCHIN) submitted the fol- lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Edu- cation, Labor, and Pensions 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 academic and moral foundation, and of that student pop- ulation— VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:52 Jan 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR482.IS SR482 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 482 IS (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 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, 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 Catho- lic schools was 12 to 1; Whereas the graduation rate of students from Catholic high schools is 99 percent, with 86 percent of graduates at- tending 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. Catho- lic schools cultivate healthy interaction among the in- creasingly diverse populations of our society. In cities and rural areas, Catholic schools are often the only oppor- tunity for economically disadvantaged young people to re- VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:52 Jan 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR482.IS SR482 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 482 IS ceive an education of quality that speaks to the develop- ment 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 commu- nities.’’; 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 estab- lished 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 (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 04:52 Jan 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR482.IS SR482 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 482 IS 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 dedication of Catholic schools, stu- 8 dents, parents, and teachers across the United 9 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 04:52 Jan 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR482.IS SR482 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS