BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 39, which recognizes the achievements of Catholic schools across the Nation. I am pleased to honor these outstanding elementary, secondary and higher learning institutions. I commend them for their commitment to academic excellence and moral values. In doing so, I support January 25 to January 31 as Catholic Schools Week.
In the late 19th century, Catholic schools emerged as an alternative to public schools and to traditional private schools. As private institutions, Catholic schools were able to design their own academic curriculum by teaching religious values and ethics while maintaining high academic standards. And after 100 years of existence, Catholic schools remain very popular and respected institutions.
Last year, Catholic schools served over 2 million students while maintaining a 14 to 1 teacher-student ratio, giving students the benefit of a small-classroom environment. Catholic schools also boast a diverse enrollment; 25 percent of its students nationwide are from minority backgrounds and 14 percent are non-Catholics. The schools provide unique experiences where students can excel. Catholic high schools have a 99 percent graduation rate with 80 percent of their graduates advancing to 4-year colleges, while 17 percent pursue 2-year colleges. It's clear that Catholic schools are encouraging their students to pursue higher education opportunities, and I applaud them for their efforts. There are 7,500 Catholic schools across this Nation. With modest tuition rates, Catholic schools are affordable for most working and middle-class families. As Congress salutes these religious educational institutions, we reaffirm our commitment to education, excellence and diversity.
Madam Speaker, I support the Catholic Schools Week, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT