119-sres45

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 45 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 45

 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States 
 and celebrating the 51st annual National Catholic Schools Week.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 January 29, 2025

 Mr. Schmitt (for himself and Mr. Kaine) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States 
 and celebrating the 51st annual National Catholic Schools Week.

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally 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 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 United States and all socioeconomic 
 backgrounds with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 29.4 
 percent of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.8 percent from 
 Hispanic heritage, and 20.8 percent from non-Catholic families, 
 according to the 2023-2024 National Catholic Education Association 
 survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United 
 States;
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 that promotes spiritual, character, and moral 
 development;
Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community service, producing graduates 
 who hold ``helping others'' among their core values;
Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2023-2024 academic 
 year is 1,700,000, and the student-teacher ratio is 10 to 1, according 
 to the 2023-2024 National Catholic Education Association survey of 
 elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United States;
Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 percent, with 85.2 
 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges;
Whereas the week of January 26, 2025, to February 1, 2025, has been designated 
 as ``National Catholic Schools Week'' by the National Catholic 
 Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 
 Bishops; and
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2025 is ``Catholic Schools: 
 United in Faith and Community'', which reflects the fact that Catholic 
 schools, united in their faith, expand beyond the walls of the classroom 
 to envelop the parents and families of students as integral parts of the 
 school community: 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 their 
 selection of the theme ``Catholic Schools: United in Faith and 
 Community'', which is a theme that all can celebrate; and

    (3) supports--
        (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, students, 
 parents, and teachers across the United States toward 
 academic excellence; and
        (B) the key role they play in promoting and 
 ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United 
 States.
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