Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1008, which recognizes the contributions of our Nation's Catholic schools. The Nation's first Catholic school was established in 1606 in present day St. Augustine, Florida. Since then, Catholic schools have become a critical part of America's education system. Today, the U.S. boasts more than 7,000 Catholic elementary and secondary schools that educate more than 2 million students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. America's Catholic schools are an important education alternative for many families. Their private status provides them with the ability to implement rigorous curricula that incorporate moral values and ethics. Though not all of its students identify as Catholic, each one receives a quality education experience filled with academic rigor, character development, and spiritual lessons. Catholic schools are known for their commitment to the academic and moral development of their students. Their students consistently demonstrate high levels of achievement. In 2000, Catholic high schools graduated 99 percent of their students, with the majority of these students continuing their academic careers at trade schools and other 2- and 4-year institutions. In the 2008/2009 school year, Catholic schools maintained a 14-1 student-teacher ratio, giving the students the benefit of a small classroom environment.…”