Congressional Record—House H174
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H174 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 8, 2006 the rules were suspended and the reso- GENERAL LEAVE I appreciate the great work being lution was agreed to. Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask done by Catholic schools, their admin- A motion to reconsider was laid on unanimous consent that all Members istrators, and teachers, as well as their the table. may have 5 legislative days within parents and volunteers. Catholic which to revise and extend their re- schools carry out their servant mission f marks on H. Res. 657. by building the academic achievement, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there character, and values of their students. HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS objection to the request of the gen- I again commend the gentleman from OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS tleman from Delaware? Minnesota (Mr. KENNEDY) for intro- Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to There was no objection. ducing this resolution, and I urge my suspend the rules and agree to the reso- Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield colleagues to support it. lution (H. Res. 657) honoring the con- myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tributions of Catholic schools. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support my time. The Clerk read as follows: of House Resolution 657 offered by the Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H. RES. 657 gentleman from Minnesota. This reso- lution increases the awareness of Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Whereas America’s Catholic schools are resolution recognizing the contribu- internationally acclaimed for their academic Catholic education while honoring the excellence, but provide students more than a contributions of America’s Catholic tions Catholic schools make to our so- superior scholastic education; schools. ciety. Whereas Catholic schools ensure a broad, January 29 through February 4, 2006, Both public and Catholic schools pro- values-added education emphasizing the life- has been designated Catholic Schools vide a strong foundation for our Na- long development of moral, intellectual, Week, an annual tradition in its 32nd tion’s children. While our public physical, and social values in America’s year and jointly sponsored by the Na- schools educate the vast majority of young people; tional Catholic Education Association, our children, our Catholic schools pro- Whereas the total Catholic school student vide an excellent and enriching alter- enrollment for the 2005–2006 academic year is as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. native. about 2.5 million and the student-teacher I have attended Catholic schools my- With this resolution we recognize the ratio is 15 to 1; self. I received a high-quality edu- Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse vital role Catholic elementary and sec- cation from these schools and have group of students; ondary schools play in providing a val- benefited greatly. Sister Jean and Sis- Whereas more than 27 percent of school ues-added education with high stand- ter Jerome taught me to read and mas- children enrolled in Catholic schools are ards of quality and excellence to the ter phonics. Sister Hilary taught me from minority backgrounds, and nearly 14 over 2.4 million students enrolled in percent are non-Catholics; Latin, which I in turn taught also. Catholic schools across the country. In Whereas Catholic schools produce students They were the greatest influence out- just my home State of Delaware, there strongly dedicated to their faith, values, side of my family. They not only chal- are over 30 Catholic schools. families, and communities by providing an lenged me intellectually, but forced me According to the U.S. Conference of intellectually stimulating environment rich to examine my own personal forma- in spiritual, character, and moral develop- Catholic Bishops, Catholic schools have tion. ment; a graduation rate of over 98 percent, Whereas in the 1972 pastoral message con- At St. Mary’s I learned the greatness and about 97 percent of Catholic high of God and the dignity of humanity. In cerning Catholic education, the National school graduates go to postsecondary Conference of Catholic Bishops stated: ‘‘Edu- Congress, my basic principle is that cation is one of the most important ways by training at 4-year colleges, community government’s role is to promote, pro- which the Church fulfills its commitment to colleges or technical schools. This suc- tect, defend and enhance human dig- the dignity of the person and building of cess could be also attributed to the im- nity. I examine every bill on these community. Community is central to edu- portance Catholic educators place on principles of human dignity that I cation ministry, both as a necessary condi- character and morals. By making the learned at St. Mary’s. Children across tion and an ardently desired goal. The edu- development of moral and social values cational efforts of the Church, therefore, America have benefited from the same an integral part of the curriculum, positive influence a Catholic education must be directed to forming persons-in-com- Catholic schools are ensuring that munity; for the education of the individual had on me. H. Res. 657 recognizes and Christian is important not only to his soli- their students are not only good aca- celebrates our Catholic schools for this tary destiny, but also the destinies of the demically, but also good citizens. contribution. many communities in which he lives.’’; and The theme for Catholic Schools Week I believe that one of the greatest as- Whereas January 29 to February 4, 2006, 2006 is ‘‘Character, Compassion, Val- pects of the American education sys- has been designated as Catholic Schools ues.’’ This theme resonates with the tem is its diversity. The goal of Amer- Week by the National Catholic Educational Catholic schools this academic year in ican education is to provide anyone Association and the United States Con- particular. Catholic schools dem- with the opportunity to succeed. ference of Catholic Bishops: Now, therefore, onstrated an enormous amount of char- be it Catholic schools are a critical part of Resolved, That the House of Representa- acter and compassion in their response that equation, teaching critical values tives— to the devastating hurricanes that hit and providing their students with bene- (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools the gulf coast last year. In the wake of ficial and life-enriching experiences. Week, an event co-sponsored by the National this national disaster, more than The contributions which Catholic Catholic Educational Association and the 300,000 students were displaced from schools make to our Nation and our United States Conference of Catholic their homes, schools and communities. children strengthen our society and Bishops and established to recognize the Catholic schools opened their doors and our place in the world. Our children vital contributions of America’s thousands hearts and welcomed these students of Catholic elementary and secondary have more opportunities because both schools; and into their classrooms. They provided Catholic and public schools can provide (2) congratulates Catholic schools, stu- these children with the opportunity to them with a high-quality education. dents, parents, and teachers across the Na- continue their studies without stop- Together these two sectors of our edu- tion for their ongoing contributions to edu- ping to consider how to cover the costs cation system will work to ensure our cation, and for the key role they play in pro- of that education. Instead, the Catholic excellence in the world. moting and ensuring a brighter, stronger fu- schools knew their first priority was to Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ture for this Nation. educate these children, and, second, my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- figure out how to cover the greater Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 ant to the rule, the gentleman from costs they incurred. minutes to the gentleman from Min- Delaware (Mr. CASTLE) and the gen- In addition, the Catholic schools in nesota (Mr. KENNEDY), the sponsor who tleman from Michigan (Mr. KILDEE) New Orleans proved to be the most re- has undertaken to pursue this resolu- each will control 20 minutes. silient by becoming some of the first tion. The Chair recognizes the gentleman schools in the hurricane-damaged area Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. from Delaware (Mr. CASTLE). to reopen their doors to students. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:17 Feb 09, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08FE7.031 H08FEPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE February 8, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H175 Delaware and the others who are 4622, with my Democrat colleague, the getting paid less than they could else- speaking on behalf of this resolution. I gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. where, to dedicate their lives to teach- am pleased to be here to honor the con- HOLT). This legislation will bring down ing at Catholic schools. I have fond tributions of Catholic schools. barriers so that math and science pro- memories of my teachers, who taught My first real encounter with Catholic fessionals can make the transition into me not only the value of a good edu- elementary and secondary students teaching and offer real-world experi- cation but also the values of faith and was my interaction with graduates ence to the critical task of teaching service. Although it was almost 35 from Catholic schools that I met at St. math and science to our children. years ago, I can still remember Sister John’s University. These students im- The Kennedy-Holt legislation goes a Mildred, my first grade teacher; Miss pressed me. They were not only well long way toward fulfilling President Ivers, my second grade teacher.