Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Catholic schools for their continuing contributions to educating young Americans. Catholic schools impact not only the intellectual life of our Nation's youth but also their moral, physical and social lives and truly are a major component in instilling the proper values in the next generation.

This year, more than 2.5 million students in the U.S. will be enriched by their Catholic school education. America's Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and can boast a student-to-teacher ratio of 17 to one, but the impact of Catholic schools is far broader and more far reaching than even that.

More than 26 percent of 2.5 million school children enrolled in Catholic schools are minorities. More than 13 percent are non- Catholics, and again, it is tremendously important to the moral, the value-based life of our country.

My wife, Wendy, and I are both graduates of Catholic schools, and we realize perhaps because of that the special value Catholic schools provide to an education. That is why we chose to enroll our three daughters in Catholic schools and intend to do the same for our young son, Jack, when he is of age.

Because I believe so strongly in the value and contribution of Catholic schools, I joined with so many others here and introduce House Resolution 26, which supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week.

Again, I congratulate Catholic schools, parents and teachers for their tremendously important role in ensuring a brighter, stronger future for our Nation. I thank them for the hard work and dedication that is put into educating the youth of our country. I thank them, in particular, for instilling important, deep-seated values in the next generation of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to spend just a few extra minutes thanking all of the many colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House, Democrats and Republicans, for joining together in supporting this resolution and for honoring Catholic Schools Week. I think in so many ways Catholic schools are really vital to the education of our youth and vital to the intellectual and moral and values-based life of our country. I wanted to highlight just a couple of ways, though, I think Catholic schools are so healthy and so important.

Really, when we get right down to it, they are the main reasons Wendy and I have decided to send our kids to Catholic schools; and they go right to the heart of the contribution Catholic schools make to the life of our country.

One is something I touched on, and that is, Catholic schools offer a great value-based education. In my archdiocese in southeast Louisiana, the motto, the PR slogan, if you will, for the archdiocese school system is ``Catholic schools, an education of value.''

It is so true, and it is a play on words, of course, because it means at least two things: One is that it is a wonderful education; a wonderful nonpublic education. And of course nonpublic private school educations can often be extraordinarily prohibitively expensive. But in our archdiocese, and in virtually all across the country,

Catholic schools offer a really solid education at a reasonable price. So it certainly is an education of value in that sense.

Of course, even more importantly, and an even more compelling reason so many parents send their kids to Catholic schools, is that it is an education rooted in a sense of values. And it is not simply 1 period of religion a day, and it is not simply going to mass 1 day a week or 1 day every other week. It is the whole atmosphere which really embodies loving, Christian principles, and it is a wonderful, loving, nurturing environment for any child, Catholic or non-Catholic, to be brought up in and educated in.

So that sense of values really is so important and such a mainstay of the important contribution Catholic schools make to the life of our country. I think it is something we can all learn from, whether we are helping improve education in the public sector or in any other sector. I think it is something over the last 10 years in particular we have begun to appreciate much more deeply, and that is that educating our children is not merely an intellectual exercise. It has to be a value- laden exercise. And we should not apologize for that in whatever setting.

Of course, if we are in the public school setting, there are limits to how we pass on those values, and we cannot do them in a way which endorses one religion over another or religion over nonreligion. But surely there is still plenty of room within that constitutional framework to offer kids in every setting an education rooted in positive, important values.

The second aspect of Catholic schools that I think is so important and so beneficial, which really goes to the heart of Wendy and my decision to send our kids, is that it is a very diverse environment that our kids find themselves in, particularly compared to other private school settings. So often in nonpublic school settings, particularly schools which are prohibitively expensive, you end up having a very narrow part of the community represented in that school. Those schools are super schools, and they do an excellent job academically, and certainly kids there are great and bright and talented. But it is so healthy in so many ways for kids to be exposed to a more diverse cross-section of the whole community socioeconomically, and certainly Catholic schools offer that. The enrollment of minority and other students in Catholic schools is very, very significant, and Catholic schools play such a positive and instrumental role in reaching out to those minority and other families.

So those are two of the key reasons, I think, Catholic schools make such a contribution to the life of our country. And as I said, those are the same reasons why we made the personal decision to send our kids there.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the many accomplishments of Catholic schools. On January 26 the annual weeklong national recognition of Catholic schools began across the Nation. I am proud to have several of the nation's high achieving Catholic schools in my district in metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri. As a former educator I understand the importance of recognizing the achievements of education throughout our Nation, and I welcome this opportunity to applaud the Catholic school community nationwide.

For 165 years, the Catholic schools of the Kansas City Diocese have prepared thousands of competent young adults fully for lives as productive citizens. There are over 40 Catholic education centers in metropolitan Kansas City, and they are all known for their high academic standards and rigorous educational instruction. These centers currently serve 14,000 students in my district. Every day over 1,000 dedicated faculty offer the guidance and instruction that make these students some of the best the Nation has to offer. Not only do the metropolitan Kansas City Catholic schools promote excellence in the classroom, they also encourage community service. In the first semester of this school year, our 14,000 students offered 87,978 hours of service to their communities by working to combat hunger and to provide care for the elderly.

One of the brightest educational beacons in the Kansas City Diocese is St. Elizabeth School in Kansas City. They are recipients of the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education. The award recognizes St. Elizabeth's for exceeding local, State, and national education goals. I participated in the announcement of this award and was overjoyed to see the level of excellence embodied throughout the school. They expressed their gratitude by giving me a remembrance of our day together: a Kelly green sweatshirt that I cherish, especially in St. Patrick's Day parades.

St. Teresa's Academy, another blue ribbon school of excellence in my community, is the oldest school and women's institution in Kansas City. The school was founded and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who, since their founding in the 17th century in France, have been in the forefront of preparing young women for the future.

I had the pleasure of accompanying the Secretary of Education, Roderick Paige, to St. Francis Xavier School in Kansas City, St. Francis is one of the seven Central City Catholic Schools established by the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph to provide educational support to children of the urban core of Kansas City. It serves a diverse population of students, some of whom are Catholic, but all come to receive their outstanding educational instruction offered as a part of the St. Francis Xavier curriculum. There is also a commitment to serving the whole child. More than half of the students at St. Francis qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school also participates in partnership with community organizations, including the Rockhurst University School of Education for teacher and parent training; Rockhurst High School in establishing a ``Middle School Academy'' to align curriculum, share resources, and setting up a mentoring program; and Young Audiences, to enrich the curriculum through the arts by having visual and performing artists work with teachers. St. Francis is part of the President's Service alliance and all students are required to perform community service. St. Francis students get real life experiences as part of their curriculum through partnerships the teachers establish with the community. The students also have a connection to students in the global society fostering the development of cultural awareness.

I have also visited St. Thomas More School for a presentation by 6th Graders on the Federal minimum wage. This was part of a class project titled ``That is Not Fair,'' a program which emphasizes social justice issues. I was accompanied by Brigid Flanigan, principal; Leanna Kilgore, Cindy Rapp, Barbara Mingori, and Paula Pawlewicz, 6 grade teachers; Ann Harbin, facilitator of the ``That's Not Fair program; and Michael Poulin, social justice program coordinator. After listening to the presentation and hearing the students' hopes and aspirations of the future I challenged the students to reach high and achieve their goals. With the first rate education provided by St. Thomas More and throughout the Kansas City Diocese, there is no question that they will be prepared to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, these are but a few of the Catholic schools in metropolitan Kansas City which play an important role in gifting students with the abilities to excel academically, socially, and civically. And I ask all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating the legacy and the bright future of the Catholic schools in the 5th District of Missouri and of the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Delaware for yielding me this time and congratulate he and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for bringing this resolution to the floor today on behalf of the committee.

I rise in strong support of House Resolution 26, which recognizes and honors the contribution of Catholic schools in the United States. I commend the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter) for his leadership in sponsoring this legislation.

Catholic schools throughout our Nation have a well-earned and an internationally acclaimed tradition of academic excellence, and I am pleased to join all my colleagues today in recognizing them. We are honoring and congratulating Catholic schools, their students, parents and teachers for their ongoing contributions to education and the vital role that they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation.

This week is National Catholic Schools Week, and it is fitting that we focus on the important role that Catholic schools play in providing a well-rounded education for America's young people, one that gives special attention to the academic, moral and social development of our children.

The theme of this year's week is ``Catholic Schools: Making a World of Difference.'' This theme is clear in what one Catholic student wrote in an essay to celebrate this week when he said, ``Most importantly, a Catholic school is a community of individuals; teachers, parents, students, who actively participate in enriching young people's educational lives.''

I am impressed with how all Catholic schools emphasize intellectual, spiritual, moral and social values and produce well-rounded citizens. Catholic schools teach both students academic knowledge and real-life lessons in service to mankind and respect for one's neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I can personally attest to the outstanding contributions and dedication of Catholic schools, as I am a proud product of Catholic schools in Ohio, having attended Sts. Peter & Paul Elementary School in Reading, Ohio, and Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati. From this strong foundation I then went on to graduate from Xavier University, which is also located in Cincinnati.

In the great State of Ohio, Catholic schools have made a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of students. For example, Fenwick High School in Middletown, Ohio, Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio, and Badin High School in Hamilton, Ohio, are excellent examples of schools that have profoundly influenced the lives of their students and continue to make significant contributions to their communities.

The top priority in the last Congress for the Committee on Education and the Workforce was the No Child Left Behind Act, a landmark reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which provides services and benefits to both public and private schools. Across our country, many Catholic schools participate in these programs and activities under the act. The primary goal of No Child Left Behind is to improve academic achievement for all students and thereby close the achievement gap that exists between disadvantaged students and their peers. Unfortunately, these gaps have remained stubbornly wide over the last three decades.

However, our Nation's Catholic schools and the dedicated teachers who serve in them have kept the achievement gaps from growing even wider. Indeed, some data indicates that one in four Catholic school students are from underprivileged backgrounds. Coupled with the fact that approximately 95 percent of Catholic school students graduate, and 83 percent of these students go on to pursue a higher education, it is clear that Catholic schools are very successful in educating all students who enter their doors.

As Sol Stern wrote in a column entitled ``The Invisible Miracle of Catholic Schools,'' in the City Journal, ``Catholic schools are already transforming the lives of thousands of poor black and Hispanic children, many of whom are not Catholic. Catholic educators have remained committed to the ideal that minority children can share in, and master, our civilization's intellectual and spiritual heritage.''

In addition, the number of students enrolled in Catholic schools who are not of the Catholic faith is over 13 percent. These students come from a wide variety of faiths and have chosen to attend a Catholic school. This is especially true for inner-city schools, where in some cases the majority of students enrolled are non-Catholic. Catholic schools and their educators have had tremendous success in reaching out to all students and their parents who are seeking the best possible education for their children.

So today, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this resolution and congratulate Catholic schools for the job they are doing in helping to educate all our Nation's children.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for H. Res. 26, a resolution recognizing the valuable contributions of Catholic Schools.

This week marks the 29th Anniversary of National Catholic Schools Week, a week dedicated to honor the achievements and successes of Catholic Schools throughout the U.S. More than 2.6 million children are enrolled in the 8,114 Catholic Schools in our country.

As Pope John Paul II said, ``. . . the purpose of Catholic Education is to communicate Christ to you, so that your attitude toward others will be that of Christ.'' A Catholic education

challenges students through a combination of high standards, strong motivation, effective discipline, and an emphasis on personal responsibility. It is an education that goes beyond preparation for a secular life; it is an education that prepares students for a Christian life.

Placing a premium on both academic standards and moral responsibility has proven to be a successful formula for Catholic schools. Consider the following facts. Catholic school student test performance in the three grade levels of the National Assessment of Educational Progress exceeds public school test results by an average of 4.5 percent in math, 4.8 percent in science, and 12.5 percent in reading. Only 3 percent of Catholic school students drop out of school, compared to a 14 percent dropout rate in public schools. In addition, 83 percent of Catholic highs school graduates go on to college, as compared to 52 percent of public high school graduates.

Children do not form their core moral values on the sole basis of what schools teach them. Learning a respect for life and respect for the rights of others does not just start at school. It starts at home. Accordingly, the Catholic school curriculum recognizes parents and family as primary educators and seeks to foster a shared vision among the two. As the father of four children who have attended Catholic schools, I know that Catholic schools strive to create a special bond between families and educators. Schools and families work hand-in-hand reinforcing family values, ethical behavior, social responsibility, and academic achievement.

There are more than 167,000 men and women who constitute our Catholic school faculty nationwide. Lay men and women represent 91 percent of the full-time equivalent teaching staff in Catholic elementary schools and 92 percent in middle schools. Parents know that the job of a good school teacher is not an easy one. The teachers and staff in our Catholic Schools are allies and supporters in helping parents instill solid moral lessons in our children. They deliver a curriculum that accentuates academic aptitude and moral responsibility. The Catholic school family--the teachers, administrators, librarians, and support staff--are all working every day to help parents rear and prepare America's next generation of leaders.

Mr. Speaker, learning in a religious setting is not for everyone and America's public school system is critical to providing educational opportunities for all. We must continue to vigorously support our public schools at both the Federal and local levels. At the same time, however, we should support those who seek the benefits of Catholic school and choose a religious setting as the best educational environment for their children. In effect, parents of Catholic school children pay twice--they pay their fair share of taxes necessary to support the public school system and they pay tuition at the school their children attend. I urge my colleagues to join me in addressing this inherent unfairness and work for the passage of a tuition tax credit program--some time this year--as the best way to help offset the double payment endured by those who send their children to Catholic schools.

In the interim, Mr. Speaker, as we work for passage of a tuition tax credit, all members can and should vote today for the passage of H. Res. 26 which appropriately recognizes the valuable contributions of Catholic schools across the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 26) honoring the contributions of Catholic schools, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 26.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to support H. Res. 26, which recognizes the contribution of America's Catholic elementary and secondary schools and congratulates these schools, students, teachers and parents for their dedication to education in our country.

I would like to thank the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for bringing this resolution to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share some remarkable facts about Catholic

schools. They are widely acclaimed for their academic success. For example, the graduation rate of Catholic schools students is about 95 percent, while less than 5 percent of Catholic high school students drop out of school, and over 80 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to college.

Catholic schools also teach a diverse group of students. Over 26 percent of students enrolled are minorities.

Catholic schools provide more than just an excellent scholastic education. They emphasize and promote the lifelong development of a student's moral, intellectual, physical, and social values. They produce students dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities.

In Delaware, I am proud of the contributions of the 32 Catholic schools that operate there. There are too many to name, so I will insert a list of those schools in the Record.

Archmere Academy, Christ Our King School, Christ the

Teacher Catholic School, Corpus Christi School, Holy Angels

School, Holy Cross Elementary School, Holy Rosary School,

Holy Spirit School, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Our Lady

of Fatima School, Our Lady of Grace Kindergarten, Padua

Academy, Salesianum School, St. Ann's School, St. Anthony of

Padua Grade School, St. Catherine of Siena School, St.

Edmond's Academy, St. Elizabeth's Elementary School, St.

Elizabeth's High School, St. Hedwig Elementary School, St.

Helena School, St. John The Beloved School, St. Joseph's

Academy, St. Mark's High School, St. Mary Magdalen School,

St. Matthew's School, St. Paul's School, St. Peter School,

St. Peter's Cathedral School, St. Thomas More Academy, St.

Thomas The Apostle School, and Ursuline Academy.

Each one of these schools is following a long tradition of educating students to be the future leaders in our society. I offer them my gratitude for their dedication to this tradition.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this straightforward resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.