Joe Baca: “I stand here in support of H. Res 51, a resolution that honors the contributions of Catholic schools. As we get ready to…”

“I stand here in support of H. Res 51, a resolution that honors the contributions of Catholic schools. As we get ready to celebrate Catholic Schools week, it's important to highlight and celebrate the contributions of the nearly 8,000 Catholic schools that exist in our Nation. Catholic education has long been characterized by a commitment to high and appropriate standards in all aspects of its educational mission. The history of Catholic schooling embodies a constant effort to promote academic excellence for a diverse group of students in an environment permeated by religious values and beliefs. Aside from America's Catholic schools being internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence, catholic school students also learn responsibility, and how to become persons of character and integrity. Father William Davis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said, ``High achievement rates, high retention rates, high moral values and high student and parent satisfaction are the distinctive marks of a Catholic school.''”