Honoring The Contributions Of Catholic Schools
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1008, honoring Catholic Schools Week and recognizing the outstanding contributions that Catholic schools have made to America.
As a proud graduate of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep and as a strong supporter of Catholic education, I am honored to sponsor this resolution again this year. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for joining me in working on this resolution as well as on many other important issues.
Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has celebrated how Catholic schools have positively impacted our country, and it has recognized their outstanding contributions in providing a strong academic and moral education, as well as teaching the importance of responsibility to one's family and community.
The National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have provided exemplary leadership in conceptualizing and organizing Catholic Schools Week. This year's theme is timeless in scope and universal in its values. ``Catholic schools--dividends for life: faith, knowledge, discipline, morals.''
This theme perfectly embodies the call of America's Catholic schools, always emphasizing the necessity of a well-rounded educational experience. Nearly 95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and the average student completes approximately 80 hours of public service. My desire to serve was fostered by the dedicated teachers whom I had in 12 years of Catholic school.
Today, almost 2.2 million elementary and secondary students are enrolled in nearly 7,500 Catholic schools. By maintaining an excellent student-teacher ratio and through dedicated efforts, Catholic school students, on average, surpass other students in math, science, and reading in the three grade levels tested by the NAEP test. The graduation rate for Catholic high schools is 99 percent, and 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to college or to technical school. In a country where poor educational reports have sadly become an annual tradition, these statistics are truly remarkable and should be greatly commended.
Catholic schools are known for embracing students from all walks of life and are highly effective in providing excellent educational opportunities for minority students and disadvantaged youth. Almost 15 percent of students in Catholic schools are not Catholic, and over the past 30 years, the percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic schools has more than doubled. Despite exceptional results, the success of Catholic schools does not depend on selectivity, accepting nine out of every 10 students who apply.
In addition to producing well-educated students, Catholic schools save American taxpayers billions of dollars every year by lessening the number of students in already overburdened public schools. In fact, it is estimated that taxpayers save over $1 billion from students attending Catholic schools in the Chicago area alone and $20 billion nationwide. The importance of this savings is undeniable to American taxpayers.
Unfortunately, the current economic climate, combined with decades-long travails of the middle class, have been hard on Catholic schools in some areas. Like me, my wife, Judy, attended Catholic schools for 12 years, graduating from St. Patrick's Grade School and Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, last year, St. Patrick's closed. This closing has proven to be a great loss, not just for the students of St. Patrick's but for the entire community of Moxham, demonstrating just how important Catholic schools are to the greater community.
I was born and raised and live in the Chicago archdiocese, which still has one of the most successful school systems in the country. More than 96,000 students attend 258 schools. In my district alone, there are seven Catholic high schools and approximately 50 grammar schools, including one of the best in my home parish of St. John of the Cross in Western Springs.
My experiences have taught me the important spiritual, moral, and intellectual foundations that Catholic schools provide to students. A Catholic education has granted me the knowledge, discipline, desire to serve, and a love of learning that has enabled me to achieve my doctorate degree and become a teacher before being elected to Congress. In recognizing Catholic Schools Week, we pay a special tribute to the dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, in many cases working for less than they would earn elsewhere.
Many of my formative memories are of teachers who taught me the valuesof faith and service. When I come down to this House floor, I can't help but remember the coach of my Student Congress team, Sister Diane Wiefenbach. I cannot forget in high school the impact that she had on me. That's something that I will always remember. Throughout the United States, millions of others have similar memories of the dedicated sisters, priests and lay teachers who gave their hearts and souls to touch the lives of their students.
Mr. Speaker, American Catholic schools deserve our praise, our support, and our gratitude. I would like to thank everyone who cosponsored this resolution. To share our congratulations in support for Catholic schools, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.
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