Education, Achievement, and Opportunity Act

Mr. Speaker, I ask to address the House for such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Reauthorization Act of 2005, H.R. 1285. And I offer my appreciation for the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush), who is en route. And I would ask, as I know that the Chairman will ask, but I ask specifically that Mr. Rush's statement subsequently can be entered into the Record.

I do appreciate the fact that we have worked with Mr. Rush for a number of years, and I am reminded of the passage of this legislation in 1999; so it is a long time that we have been focusing on this great need.

The original Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act was a temporary visa program that expired at the end of September 20, 2004. H.R. 1285 would reauthorize and extend it for years.

Let me cite for my colleagues some important information. According to a report released by the American Hospital Association, April 2006, U.S. hospitals need approximately 118,000 registered nurses to fill vacant positions nationwide. This translates into a national RN vacancy rate of 8.5 percent. The report titled ``The State of America's Hospitals: Taking the Pulse'' also found that 49 percent of hospital CEOs had more difficulty recruiting RNs in 2005 than in 2004. Since the origins of this bill, Mr. Speaker, we are going downward, if you will.

According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in the November of 2005 Monthly Labor Review, more than 1.2 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2014. Government analysts project that more than 703,000 new RN positions will be created through 2014, which will account for two-fifths of all new jobs in the health care center.

This is a wake-up call for America. This legislation is attempting to respond to this crisis, but this is, frankly, a wake-up call for America. Where are the nursing schools? Where are the recruits? Where are the students, and how can we assist?

I rose in support of the original Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act 5 years ago, and I support this. I had hoped, however, at that time that the nursing shortage would be temporary. Unfortunately, the shortage of nurses in the United States has gotten worse since then. As indicated, 5 years ago the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported on the results of a survey which indicated that there were roughly at that time 1.89 million nurses in the United States, but that we needed 2 million. Unfortunately, as I have said, we are spiraling downward.

I hope this debate on the floor of the House will ignite nursing schools, States, and this Congress across America. As this legislation has been so diligently offered by our colleague from Illinois, who sees the nursing shortage and who has asked us to extend the time for this particular provision to bring in nurses, let us have a wake-up call to begin to train nurses out of America's high schools around the country.

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that were published in November 2005, I indicated that we need 1.2 million new and replacement nurses, as stated earlier, in 2014. We need a growing enrollment in America's nursing schools. Part of the problem is that a shortage of nursing school facilities is restricting nursing program enrollments. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's report on 2005-2006 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away 41,683 qualified applicants in 2005 due to insufficient faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, and budget constraints.

Let me read to you just a paragraph from the American Nursing Association. My mother having been a nurse, I know many Members of Congress having come from the nursing profession and maybe our colleagues as well knowing nurses or working with nurses: ``Overall, the ANA,'' and this is back in 1999, ``believes that we need to address the root causes for the instability of the nursing workforce that has led to swings in the supply and demand of registered nurses. It is clear that overreliance on foreign-educated nurses by the hospital industry serves only to postpone real efforts to address the nursing workforce needs of the United States.''

This is not a criticism of this legislation. This is support for this legislation. But what it says is, as we welcome the nurses who will help our disadvantaged areas, let us track their great service, as we do with the J-1 visa that helps us in rural and urban areas with doctors who will serve in underserved areas who are coming into our country. Let us work to address this critical shortage. The Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act would provide more nurses in the disadvantaged areas, which is where the shortage is most critical. I support that enthusiastically.

I urge Members to vote for H.R. 1285 because it is needed. It is needed now. I urge Members to vote to reauthorize and extend the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act for another 3 years so that disadvantaged communities in our Nation do not suffer from lack of health care.

I rise in support of the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Reauthorization Act of 2005, H.R. 1285. The original Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act was a temporary visa program that expired at the end of September 20, 2004. H.R. 1285 would reauthorize and extend it for 3 years.

When I rose in support of the original Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act 5 years ago, I hoped that the nursing shortage would be temporary. Unfortunately, the shortage of nurses in the United States has gotten worse since then. Five years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported on the results of a survey which indicated that there were roughly 1.89 million nurses in the United States, but that we needed 2 million.

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that were published in the November 2005 Monthly Labor Review, more than 1.2 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2014. Enrollment in American nursing schools is not growing quickly enough to meet this demand.

Part of the problem is that a shortage of nursing school facilities is restricting nursing program enrollments. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's report on 2005-2006 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. Nursing schools turned away 41,683 qualified applicants in 2005 due to insufficient faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, and budget constraints.

The Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act would provide more nurses in disadvantaged areas, which is where the shortage is most critical. I urge you to vote for H.R. 1285 to reauthorize and extend the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act for another 3 years.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), who is on our Government Reform Committee and has worked very hard on these issues dealing with disadvantaged neighborhoods.

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

I thank the distinguished gentleman Mr. Cummings.

Let me conclude by thanking Congressman Bobby Rush, who has been a strong advocate for providing and helping with nursing in underserved areas.

And let me also conclude by indicating again my support by saying, Mr. Speaker, we have to balance what we do as we provide these valuable nurses through the extension of this bill in our areas, but we must also reach out and find a way to ensure that every young person, every individual, seeking an opportunity in our medical schools for physicians and as well nursing has that opportunity to serve America.

With that, again, I ask for support of H.R. 1285.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 657. This resolution honors the contributions that Catholic schools make to our communities and, in particular, recognizes the annual Catholic Schools Week, celebrated from January 29-February 4 this year. I thank Mr. Kennedy of Minnesota for introducing H. Res. 657, for recognizing Catholic Schools Week, and for his ongoing support for Catholic schools nationwide.

Catholic Schools Week is an event co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Honored during the Week are Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education. The Catholic schools community has a significant role in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for our communities, our country and, most of all, for our children.

Guam's association with the Roman Catholic Church dates back to Ferdinand Magellan's arrival on our island in 1521. Guam became an important port-of-call along trade routes through the Pacific sailed by Spanish Galleons. Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, arrived in Guam in 1662 during his journey from Mexico to the Philippines. Padre San Vitores vowed to return to Guam upon leaving the island.

Three years later, through his close ties to the royal court, he persuaded King Philip IV of Spain and Queen Maria Ana of Austria to order the establishment of a Catholic mission in Guam. Padre San Vitores established a mission in the village of Agana which later became the site of the island's first Catholic Church. It is now the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana, canonically erected in 1911, elevated to a Diocese in 1965--300 years after Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores kept his promise to return to the island. The Diocese was further elevated in 1984 to a Metropolitan Diocese. Today it enjoys a congregation of 101,000 strong throughout Oceania.

The Roman Catholic faith grew strong on Guam over the years. This strength is represented in the quality of Catholic school education on the island. Our island has four nursery schools, six elementary and middle schools, and three high schools that teach the Catholic faith in addition to academic curriculum.

The Catholic school tradition on Guam began with Bishop Appollinaris Baumgartner. He recognized our island's need for quality education inspired by the Catholic faith. In 1946, he invited the Three Sisters of Mercy from North Carolina to Guam. They established The Academy of Our Lady, the first all girls' Catholic high school on Guam. This school remains in operation today. Also, Bishop Baumgartner invited the School Sisters of Notre Dame of La Crosse, Wisconsin to come to Guam in 1949. Soon after arriving on the island the Sisters founded Notre Dame High School, a Catholic co-educational high school. Notre Dame High School also remains operational today. Father Duenas Memorial High School is the third Catholic high school on Guam. Its namesake, Father Jesus Baza Duenas, was executed on July 11, 1944, by the Japanese forces occupying Guam. Father Duenas, a resistance figure on the island, was executed along with his nephew because he would not betray the location of an American sailor hiding on the island. Father Duenas Memorial High School continues his legacy of courage and integrity. All three schools offer rigorous curricula to prepare students for college while instilling strong moral values and an understanding of the Catholic faith.

Bishop Baumgartner initiated a strong tradition of Catholic elementary and middle school education on Guam, as well as providing advanced theological study opportunities for the island's faithful in minor seminary.

Bishop Baumgartner's legacy of shaping the character of Guam's faithful by promoting Catholic education opportunities on the island was continued by Archbishop Felixberto Camacho Flores, Guam's first Chamorro Bishop, when he became Titular Bishop of Stonj in 1970. The number of Catholic schools on Guam increased under his leadership. He expanded their programs and improved school facilities.

Today, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agana remains committed to serving the people of Guam. Under the direction of the Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana, Catholic educational institutions on Guam provide quality academic instruction to students. The contributions of the Catholic school system to the people of Guam are reflected in our local leaders in the clergy, government, and private-sector who are alumni of the Catholic schools. The dedication shown by the Archdiocese of Agana to the quality of Catholic school education on our island strongly reflects the theme for Catholic Schools Week: Character. Compassion. Values.

Guam has a long history of Catholicism and enjoys a strong tradition of educational institutions grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church. I recognize and commend the Catholic schools in Guam for their commitment to instilling the principles of academic rigor, sound moral values, and respect and understanding for the Catholic faith in our children's daily lives. In honor of Catholic Schools Week, I want to recognize dedication and achievements made by the students, parents, teachers and administrators of Catholic schools in Guam and across the Nation. Their contributions to our society, both inside and outside of the classroom are significant. It is my hope that the tradition of Catholic schools education on Guam and around the United States will remain strong for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 657, honoring National Catholic Schools Week and the tremendous contributions that Catholic schools have made to our country.

Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has celebrated the important role that Catholic schools play in American education, and their excellent reputation for providing a strong academic and moral education, as well as teaching social responsibility.

This year's theme of Catholic Schools Week is: ``Catholic Schools: Character. Compassion. Values.'' These words embody the mission of Catholic education beyond providing top-notch academic training. Compassion is at the heart of the Catholic faith. It teaches so many young men and women the strength of character and the strong convictions that they need to be successful adults and to contribute to our society.

My wife and I are each products of 12 years of Catholic elementary and secondary school: my wife in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, at Saint Patrick's grade school and Bishop McCourt High School; myself in Chicago at Saint Symphorosa Grammar School and Saint Ignatius College Prep. Like so many others, I understand how important Catholic schools are in providing a spiritual, moral, and intellectual foundation. My 12 years of Catholic education provided me with the knowledge, discipline, and the love of learning that enabled me to go on and earn my Ph.D. and become a teacher before I came to Congress.

As we recognize Catholic Schools Week, we must pay special tribute to the dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, usually getting paid less than they could elsewhere, to dedicate their lives to teaching at Catholic schools. I have fond memories of my teachers, who taught me not only the value of a good education but also the values of faith and service. Although it was almost 35 years ago, I can still remember Sister Mildred, my first grade teacher; Miss Ivers, my second grade teacher. And the memories go on.

I will never forget Sister Diane, who was my student congress coach when I was in high school. To this day, when I speak in front of crowds, I still envision Sister Diane sitting there, nodding, giving me confidence when I was a nervous young kid trying to make my first public speeches. I related these memories while attending a celebration at Saint Richard's School last week. After the celebration, many people came up to me with similar memories, memories of teachers who gave their heart and soul and made such a big difference in the lives of their students.

To thank these men and women and their tireless contributions and service, I held a breakfast last week at Saint Lawrence High School during Catholic Schools Week. We talked about the successes of Catholic schools and also the challenges that they face. Nationally, more than 2.4 million young people are enrolled in nearly 8,000 Catholic schools. These schools have more than 160,000 full-time professional staff, boasting a student-teacher ratio of 15-1.

The Chicago archdiocese has had one of the most successful school systems. Today, more than 106,000 students attend 276 schools. In my district alone, there are 34 grammar schools and five high schools. The success of students in the Chicago archdiocese is phenomenal. The high schools have an amazing graduation rate of 99 percent, and about 95 percent of those graduates go on to college. This is clearly a record to be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, as an important complement to our public schools and other private institutions, Catholic schools contribute a great deal to America. They have made a big difference in my life and a big difference in the lives of countless others. They deserve our praise and our support; and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, the Kennedy resolution, honoring Catholic schools during this Catholic Schools Week.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 657) honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

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. 657.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 657 offered by the gentleman from Minnesota. This resolution increases the awareness of Catholic education while honoring the contributions of America's Catholic schools.

January 29 through February 4, 2006, has been designated Catholic Schools Week, an annual tradition in its 32nd year and jointly sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association, as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

With this resolution we recognize the vital role Catholic elementary and secondary schools play in providing a values-added education with high standards of quality and excellence to the over 2.4 million students enrolled in Catholic schools across the country. In just my home State of Delaware, there are over 30 Catholic schools.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic schools have a graduation rate of over 98 percent, and about 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go to postsecondary training at 4- year colleges, community colleges or technical schools. This success could be also attributed to the importance Catholic educators place on character and morals. By making the development of moral and social values an integral part of the curriculum, Catholic schools are ensuring that their students are not only good academically, but also good citizens.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2006 is ``Character, Compassion, Values.'' This theme resonates with the Catholic schools this academic year in particular. Catholic schools demonstrated an enormous amount of character and compassion in their response to the devastating hurricanes that hit the gulf coast last year. In the wake of this national disaster, more than 300,000 students were displaced from their homes, schools and communities. Catholic schools opened their doors and hearts and welcomed these students into their classrooms. They provided these children with the opportunity to continue their studies without stopping to consider how to cover the costs of that education. Instead, the Catholic schools knew their first priority was to educate these children, and, second, figure out how to cover the greater costs they incurred.

In addition, the Catholic schools in New Orleans proved to be the most resilient by becoming some of the first schools in the hurricane- damaged area to reopen their doors to students.

I appreciate the great work being done by Catholic schools, their administrators, and teachers, as well as their parents and volunteers. Catholic schools carry out their servant mission by building the academic achievement, character, and values of their students.

I again commend the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy) for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy), the sponsor who has undertaken to pursue this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who turns out to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, which is a real insult to Philadelphia Eagles fans like myself.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy), alas another Steelers fan.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from

Delaware and the others who are speaking on behalf of this resolution. I am pleased to be here to honor the contributions of Catholic schools.

My first real encounter with Catholic elementary and secondary students was my interaction with graduates from Catholic schools that I met at St. John's University. These students impressed me. They were not only well prepared for college, but they were courteous, kind, respectful, caring and friendly to me. They say you can tell a tree by its fruit. By this measure I assume Catholic schools must be great.

I remember a conversation I had while in college with a few graduates of Catholic high schools reminiscing on their high school experience. One of these students was so cynical about his Catholic education that I resolved never to send my children to Catholic schools. Well, it turns out the cynical student became a priest, so I changed my mind. Catholic schools really do nurture one's faith.

My wife Debbie and I have four wonderful children. They have been able to experience the best of both worlds. They all graduated from Watertown Mayer Public Middle School, and they all chose to attend Catholic high schools, not just to get a great education, but to be able to talk about how God influences history and the world around us.

We are pleased to see that they have been nurtured in the Catholic spirit of helping others. They participate in many programs to help those in need. For example, my daughter Emily organized a food drive for Mary's Place, an outreach center for the needy, while she was at Holy Family Catholic High School. She collected enough food from her fellow students to fill up a van and feed many in need.

I have so much faith in Catholic schools because they consistently provide a great education for 2.5 million students across America and have a student-teacher ratio that averages 15-1.

I can attest to the quality education with two of our children now attending the University of Notre Dame. Catholic schools have done an extraordinary job of reaching out to the disadvantaged youth throughout our country. More than 27 percent of students enrolled in Catholic schools are from minority backgrounds, and nearly 14 percent of them are non-Catholics.

Mr. Speaker, Catholic schools make fantastic contributions to education in this country, but every school must recognize that there is more that can be done. Well, at St. John's Prep my son's physics teacher was a former engineer at 3M. My son, his classmates, and likely hundreds or thousands of other students were not only able to benefit from his invaluable real-world experience, but they also gained an understanding of the success that can be achieved by those who study math and science.

That is why I introduced the Teachers for Tomorrow's Career Act, H.R. 4622, with my Democrat colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt). This legislation will bring down barriers so that math and science professionals can make the transition into teaching and offer real-world experience to the critical task of teaching math and science to our children.

The Kennedy-Holt legislation goes a long way toward fulfilling President Bush's new proposal of bringing 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in our classrooms, and make sure our children are competitive in the 21st century no matter what kind of school they attend.

Mr. Speaker, last week was Catholic Schools Week. The theme was ``Catholic Schools: Character, Compassion, Values.''

I urge my colleagues to join Mr. Lipinski and I in supporting this resolution to commend our Catholic schools and their teachers, the parents, and religious communities that support them in their service to our Nation's youth.