Bill Pascrell: “I stand on this floor as a proud graduate of Saint George's Elementary School and Saint John's High School in Patterson…”

“I stand on this floor as a proud graduate of Saint George's Elementary School and Saint John's High School in Patterson and Fordham University, New York. Catholic School taught me, and I think teach generally, a spirit of tolerance to those who did not go to Catholic School, compassion for the poor, service to our fellow man. I never hear these values discussed lately during the so-called values debate we have had in this country. To those who believe they have a corner on values, I ask you to look to the Catholic Schools of this country and think again. The Catholic education I received provided me with the tools to not only forge success in life, but it also gave me an unending desire to serve my fellow man. I stand before you as the father of three sons who attended Catholic School. Not too long ago in our Nation's history, Roman Catholics were not welcome in many parts of our society. My Catholic education taught me that every American, no matter what their religion, no matter their creed or their color had an equal right to the American dream. Today, there are almost 8,000 Catholic Schools in this country serving 2.4 million students. As a lifelong resident of Patterson, which is the third largest city in New Jersey, I strongly embrace this year's Catholic Schools Week theme: ``Faith in Every Student: Catholic Schools.'' I am proud to report that 44 percent of the Catholic Schools are in urban areas.”