A resolution supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

III 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 17 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JANUARY 26, 2023 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. Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are inter- nationally 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 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 United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 21.5 percent of students from racial minority back- VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:32 Jan 27, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR17.ATS SR17 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 17 ATS grounds, 18.6 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 20.3 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 2022–2023 academic year is 1,700,000, and the student- teacher ratio is 11 to 1; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 per- cent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year col- leges; Whereas the week of January 29, 2023, to February 4, 2023, 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 49 years; and Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2023 is ‘‘Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.’’ which reflects the purpose of Catholic schools 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 example of faith: Now, therefore, be it VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:32 Jan 27, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR17.ATS SR17 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 17 ATS 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 tary and secondary schools in the United 9 States; 10 (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational 11 Association and the United States Conference of 12 Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that 13 all can celebrate; and 14 (3) supports— 15 (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, stu- 16 dents, parents, and teachers across the United 17 States toward academic excellence; and 18 (B) the key role they play in promoting 19 and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the 20 United States. 21 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:32 Jan 27, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR17.ATS SR17 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS