Chris Murphy: “I am pleased to rise again this year to recognize the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Catholic Schools Week…”

“I am pleased to rise again this year to recognize the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Catholic Schools Week is a collaboration of the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Catholic Conference to recognize the importance Catholic schools play in providing a values-enriched education to their students. This year's theme is ``Faith in Every Student,'' and this faith is alive and well in Pennsylvania. I am pleased to recognize over 32 Catholic schools in Pennsylvania's 13th district as they celebrate this week with many community and parish events to recognize their outstanding contributions to America's education. It is important to note that America's Catholic schools admit students of every faith, and Catholic schools in Pennsylvania save taxpayers more than $1 billion each year. In addition, the St. Anthony's School Programs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helps Catholic and non-Catholic students with developmental disabilities to live their lives to their fullest, intellectually, socially, academically, vocationally, and spiritually, and has donated over $1.1 million this year to help special needs students receive quality education and life skills. The Catholic schools have a dropout rate of less than 3 percent and provide extensive scholarships to low-income families.”