III
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION 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
JANUARY29, 2025
Mr. S
CHMITT(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 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
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29.4 percent of students from racial minority back-
grounds, 18.8 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 20.8
percent from non-Catholic families, according to the
2023–2024 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
2023–2024 academic year is 1,700,000, and the student-
teacher ratio is 10 to 1, according to the 2023–2024 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
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2025
is ‘‘Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community’’,
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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
(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 the theme 13
‘‘Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Commu-14
nity’’, which is a theme that all can celebrate; and 15
(3) supports— 16
(A) the dedication of Catholic schools, stu-17
dents, parents, and teachers across the United 18
States toward academic excellence; and 19
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•SRES 45 ATS
(B) the key role they play in promoting 1
and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the 2
United States. 3
Æ
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