Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

It is with great pleasure that I rise today in support of House Resolution 39 offered by a good friend of mine, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski). This resolution increases our awareness of Catholic education while honoring the contributions of America's Catholic schools. I am also very pleased to be a cosponsor of this resolution. I have a long background with education and religious schools. My father was a pastor, and our denomination has supported Christian day schools for a considerable length of time and shares the approach and the ideas of the Catholic schools. Our schools were very effective in educating students. Emphasis was on academics, but also on how that applied to the world today and what responsibility we as students, and later adults, had to use our religious beliefs in the benefit of our fellow human beings and our Nation. Catholic schools have followed in this tradition.

I am pleased that January 25 through January 31, 2009, has been designated Catholic Schools Week, an annual tradition in its 35th 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 an education with high standards of quality and excellence to the nearly 2.3 million students enrolled in Catholic schools across the country.

One thing I have always admired when I visit Catholic schools and speak to their students is the tremendous discipline in the classroom. And I wish all of our schools in this Nation had this discipline and that attention on learning.

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 on to post-secondary training at 4-year colleges, community colleges or technical schools. This success can also be 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 academicians, but also good citizens.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week this year is ``Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.'' This theme highlights the mission of Catholic schools to provide a faith-based education that supports the whole child academically and spiritually and impresses upon them the importance of civic engagement. Catholicism has a long and rich tradition of direct service to those in need. Catholic schools incorporate service projects into the curriculum, teaching students the value of helping others as an expression of faith and good citizenship.

Catholic schools demonstrated an enormous amount of character and compassion in their response to the devastating hurricanes that hit the gulf coast nearly 4 years ago. 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 cost of that education. Instead, the Catholic schools knew their first priority was to educate these children and worry about the financing later on.

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.

Again, I commend the gentleman from Illinois for introducing this resolution and urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Madam Speaker, I thank you for your competent and professional manner in presiding today, and I yield myself the balance of my time in wrapping this discussion up.

I am very pleased to participate in this discussion today because I believe that Catholic schools and religious schools play an extremely important part in our American educational system.

I often deplore the fact that the Catholic schools and other religious schools, Christian and otherwise, do not get a fair shake in this Nation as compared to many other nations. I know when I lived in Europe for a year you could designate on your income tax how much you wanted to be delegated to schools of your choice, and they could be private schools, public schools, religious schools, what have you. That struck me as an eminently fair system. I don't expect we will ever have that in this country, but I do regret, given the excellent work that the Catholic schools do, and that other Christian and religious schools do in

educating students who are troubled, that we do not call upon these schools more often to help educate more of the children of this Nation.

I recall years ago when I joined some others in helping to raise money for scholarships for children who were troubled in their public schools, and who had great difficulties with their fellow students, and were getting into fights. We raised scholarship money so they could attend the Christian schools. Then a remarkable transformation occurred. Many of them became far better students and graduated and went on to good careers. I am convinced we can multiply this effort many times over, and I hope that the people of this country continue to contribute to these schools.

I was sorry to hear Mr. Lipinski say that the school that his wife attended is closing. That is a story that we are hearing far too often across this land. We are losing something very important when we have schools this good, with the superb records that we heard outlined by several speakers here, that they are closing while at the same time the students who would go there are going to other schools which are not serving them as well.

So I just want to do a little editorializing here because I do think that the Catholic schools, and many other schools in this country, do so much for our Nation, and yet do not receive the recognition and certainly do not receive any financial support from either Federal or State governments. I think it is our loss if they close and are no longer able to help the students that they do help so well.

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

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Iowa for yielding.

Today I rise in support of H. Res. 39, honoring Catholic Schools Week and recognizing the outstanding contributions that Catholic schools have made to America.

As a product of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius High School and a strong supporter of Catholic education, I am proud to sponsor this resolution again this year. And I would like to thank my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for joining me in working on this resolution.

Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has celebrated the positive impact that Catholic schools have had on our country and recognize 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.

As we heard in President Obama's inauguration address yesterday, responsibility is critical to our Nation's success, and responsibility requires service to others. Very appropriately, the theme for next week's Catholic Schools Week is ``Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.'' President Obama rightfully sees public service as a way to unify the country, to bridge divisions and to teach responsible citizenship.

This is nothing new to America's Catholic schools. They have always taught the intrinsic value of service to others. Nearly 95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and the average student completes approximately 80 hours of public service. My strong desire to serve was fostered by my dedicated teachers at Catholic schools. Nearly 95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and the average student completes approximately 80 hours of public service.

Today, almost 2.3 million elementary and secondary students are enrolled in nearly 7,500 Catholic schools. These schools have more than 160,000 full-time professional staff. Through individual attention and quality education, 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 school students is 99 percent, and 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to college or technical schools. These are truly remarkable statistics in a country where we read all-too-many reports of deep problems in our educational system and worrying declines in our student's international competitiveness.

Catholic schools are known for embracing students from all walks of life and are highly effective at providing excellent educational opportunities for minority students and disadvantaged youth. Almost one in seven students of Catholic schools is not Catholic. And over the past 30 years, the percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic schools has more than doubled. And 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 with a commitment to service, 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 and approximately $20 billion nationwide. This savings is crucial to American taxpayers, especially during these harsh economic times.

Unfortunately, the current economic turmoil combined with much longer travails of middle class in our country have been hard on Catholic schools in some areas. Just like me, my wife Judy attended Catholic schools for 12 years. She went to St. Patrick's Grade School and Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, less than 2 weeks ago it was announced that St. Patrick's would be closing. This closing is a great loss not just to the students of St. Patrick's, but the entire community of Moxham, demonstrating just how important Catholic schools are to the greater community.

I was born and raised and lived in the Chicago Archdiocese, which still has one of the most successful school systems in the country. More than 98,000 students attend 256 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 foundation that Catholic schools provide to students. Catholic education has granted me the knowledge, discipline, desire to serve, and a love of learning that 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 dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, in most cases working for much less than they could earn elsewhere. Many of my formative memories are of teachers who taught me the values of faith and service. After 35 years, I can still fondly remember Sister Diane, my Student Congress coach when I was in high school, and from Sister Mildred in first grade to Sister Xavier in eighth grade at St. Symphorosa. Throughout the United States, millions of others have similar memories of their dedicated sisters, priests and lay teachers who gave their hearts and souls to touch the lives of their students.

Madam Speaker, American Catholic schools deserve our praise, our support and our gratitude. I would like to thank everyone who has cosponsored this resolution. And to share our praise and support for Catholic schools, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 39, which recognizes and honors the exemplary contributions of Catholic schools across our Nation. The resolution salutes the commitment, professionalism and faith of the teachers and administrators as well as the achievements in the classroom and in the lives of the students. And we commend today the support of the Catholic Church itself in making this educational opportunity possible.

I would also like to thank Mr. Lipinski for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor and ask that my colleagues join us in supporting its passage.

Madam Speaker, Catholic education has and continues to make a tremendous impact in the lives of students, families and communities across America and in my home State of New Jersey. Last year, more than 2.3 million children were enrolled in over 7,000 Catholic schools nationwide. The performance of Catholic schools is impressive. More than 99 percent of its students graduate high school, and approximately 97 percent go on to college. The record clearly shows that students at Catholic schools receive a quality education with an integrated focus on the transcendent importance of God, academic excellence, advancement beyond high school and fundamental morals.

Next week, January 25 to 31, marks the 36th annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. And this year's theme is to live the Gospel with an emphasis on service. Students are encouraged to help others and generously give of themselves expecting nothing whatsoever in return. In the 25th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus admonished believers to live a life of selfless service to others and specifically asked that we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick and disabled, visit the prisoner and welcome the stranger. Identifying with the disenfranchised, the vulnerable and the weakest among us, our Lord said, and I quote, whatsoever you do to the least of My brethren, you do unto Me.

This year's theme celebrates service, encourages students to embrace Matthew 25 and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Many of America's poor and at risk will benefit from the students' benevolence.

Catholic schools, Madam Speaker, are indeed an integral part of our Nation's fundamental commitment to education and serve a cross-section of American students. Catholic schools have a rich history of welcoming, serving and educating new immigrants. With over 25 percent of Catholic school enrollment from minority backgrounds and approximately 14 percent actually being non-Catholics, it is evident that this extraordinary institution meets the needs of a highly diverse group of young people.

Finally, Madam Speaker, a 1972 pastoral message by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning Catholic education summed up the unique and extraordinary vision of Catholic education. They said in pertinent part, and I quote: Education is

one of the most important ways by which the church fulfills its commitment to the dignity of the person and the building of community. Community is central to education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently desired goal. The educational efforts of the church, therefore, must be directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the individual Christian is important not only to his or her solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many communities to which he or she lives.

Again, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important element of faith-based education which serves alongside America's public and private schools to strengthen and reinforce our educational system.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 39) honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 39 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 39, which recognizes the achievements of Catholic schools across the Nation. I am pleased to honor these outstanding elementary, secondary and higher learning institutions. I commend them for their commitment to academic excellence and moral values. In doing so, I support January 25 to January 31 as Catholic Schools Week.

In the late 19th century, Catholic schools emerged as an alternative to public schools and to traditional private schools. As private institutions, Catholic schools were able to design their own academic curriculum by teaching religious values and ethics while maintaining high academic standards. And after 100 years of existence, Catholic schools remain very popular and respected institutions.

Last year, Catholic schools served over 2 million students while maintaining a 14 to 1 teacher-student ratio, giving students the benefit of a small-classroom environment. Catholic schools also boast a diverse enrollment; 25 percent of its students nationwide are from minority backgrounds and 14 percent are non-Catholics. The schools provide unique experiences where students can excel. Catholic high schools have a 99 percent graduation rate with 80 percent of their graduates advancing to 4-year colleges, while 17 percent pursue 2-year colleges. It's clear that Catholic schools are encouraging their students to pursue higher education opportunities, and I applaud them for their efforts. There are 7,500 Catholic schools across this Nation. With modest tuition rates, Catholic schools are affordable for most working and middle-class families. As Congress salutes these religious educational institutions, we reaffirm our commitment to education, excellence and diversity.

Madam Speaker, I support the Catholic Schools Week, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I'm very pleased today to recognize a good friend, the gentleman from the Third District of Illinois, Mr. Dan Lipinski, for 6 minutes.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) for 3 minutes.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank speakers on both sides of the aisle for supporting this resolution, it is a wonderful resolution, and I urge its passage.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 39, to honor the contributions of Catholic schools across the country, and in honor of National Catholic Schools Week from January 25 through January 31.

I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Lipinski from Illinois and Mr. Smith from New Jersey, for their leadership in bringing this resolution to the House floor today.

As a graduate of Catholic elementary and high schools, Sacred Heart Academy and Aquinas High School in Augusta, Georgia, I am keenly aware of the contributions that they provide to the 2.3 million students educated in Catholic schools across the country every year. These include close to 1,200 students at three Catholic schools in my district: St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw, St. Joseph's in my hometown of Marietta, and St. Mary's in Rome, Georgia.

Not only do Catholic schools, like Sacred Heart and Aquinas, provide a strong and competitive academic environment, they also teach moral and ethical standards, skills for living and self-esteem, discipline and respect for authority, and a Christian integration of spirit, mind and body in each of their students.

Upon graduating from Aquinas, I thought that the Catholic school curriculum would be what best prepared me for my future. However, I must admit that I was wrong about that. While the strenuous academics at Sacred Heart and Aquinas did lay the foundation for my success at both Georgia Tech and The Medical College of Georgia, it was the faith and ethical standards taught at these schools that truly prepared me for any of life's struggles.

Madam Speaker, while opening and running my medical practice, the respect for life taught at Sacred Heart and Aquinas led me to value and care for life at all stages, indeed from the moment of conception until natural death. Now that I have left my medical career to serve as a Member of Congress, I find the lessons learned from my days at Catholic schools more valuable now than ever. On a daily basis, I am confronted by difficult questions that affect millions of lives. If it were not for the moral standards and faith in God taught at Sacred Heart and Aquinas, I do not believe I could properly represent the people of northwest Georgia.

Madam Speaker, our education system is only made stronger by Catholic schools in northwest Georgia and throughout the Nation which fully prepare their students for a brighter future.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 39.