S.Res. 594

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 594 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 594

Supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States 
and celebrating the 52nd annual National Catholic Schools Week.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 29, 2026

Mr. Schmitt (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 52nd annual National Catholic Schools Week.

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally 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 education, emphasizing 
the life-long development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social 
values in young people in the United States;
Whereas Catholic schools serve the United States by providing a diverse student 
population from all regions of the United States and all socioeconomic 
backgrounds with a strong academic and moral foundation, including, 
according to the 2024-2025 National Catholic Education Association 
survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United 
States--

(1) 34.9 percent of students from racial minority backgrounds;

(2) 15.4 percent of students of Hispanic heritage; and

(3) 21.8 percent from non-Catholic families;

Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for parents, 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 
development;
Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community service, producing graduates 
who hold ``helping others'' among their core values;
Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic 
year is approximately 1,700,000, and the student-teacher ratio is 10 to 
1, according to the 2024-2025 National Catholic Education Association 
survey of elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the United 
States;
Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.6 percent, with 83.7 
percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges;
Whereas the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, has been designated 
as ``National Catholic Schools Week'' by the National Catholic 
Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic 
Bishops;
Whereas, in 2026, National Catholic Schools Week marks a significant milestone 
and celebrates its 52nd anniversary, having been first established in 
1974; and
Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2026 is ``Catholic Schools: 
United in Faith and Community'', which reflects the fact that Catholic 
schools, united in their faith, expand beyond the walls of the classroom 
to include the parents and families of students as integral parts of the 
school community: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, 
an event--
(A) cosponsored by the National Catholic 
Educational Association and the United States 
Conference of Catholic Bishops; and
(B) established to recognize the vital 
contributions of the thousands of Catholic elementary 
and secondary schools in the United States;
(2) applauds the National Catholic Educational Association 
and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on their 
selection of a theme that all can celebrate; and
(3) supports--
(A) the dedication of Catholic schools, including 
the students, parents, and teachers of such schools, 
across the United States toward academic excellence; 
and
(B) the key role they play in promoting and 
ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United 
States.
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