IV 119THCONGRESS 1 STSESSION H. RES. 74 Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States and celebrating the 51st annual ‘‘National Catholic Schools Week’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY28, 2025 Mr. L AHOOD(for himself, Mr. NEAL, Mr. JOYCEof Ohio, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. B OYLEof Pennsylvania, Mr. STEIL, Mr. GIMENEZ, Mr. SOTO, Mr. H ARRISof Maryland, Mr. HILLof Arkansas, Mr. FLOOD, and Mr. M OOREof West Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce 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 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR74.IH HR74 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 74 IH the United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 20.5 percent of students from racial minority back- grounds, 15.5 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 21.8 percent from non-Catholic families, according to the 2024–2025 National Catholic Education Association sur- vey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United States; Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for par- ents, particularly in underserved urban areas; Whereas Catholic schools produce students who are strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment that promotes spiritual, character, and moral develop- ment; Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community serv- ice, producing graduates who hold ‘‘helping others’’ among their core values; Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2024–2025 academic year is 1,700,000, and the student- teacher ratio is 10 to 1, according to the 2024–2025 Na- tional Catholic Education Association survey of elemen- tary and secondary Catholic schools in the United States; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 per- cent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year col- leges; Whereas the week of January 26, 2025, to February 1, 2025, has been designated as ‘‘National Catholic Schools Week’’ by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR74.IH HR74 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 74 IH 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 House of Representatives— 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR74.IH HR74 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 4 •HRES 74 IH (B) the key role they play in promoting 1 and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the 2 United States. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 28, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR74.IH HR74 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB