Joe Crowley: “As we celebrate Catholic School Week, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 335, honoring the contributions of…”

“As we celebrate Catholic School Week, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 335, honoring the contributions of Catholic schools to our children and our country. For centuries Catholic schools have been a gift to the nation as well as to the Catholic church. They have helped millions of children become informed and caring citizens. In New York, His Eminence Edward Cardinal Eagen, Archdiocese of New York and Bishop Thomas V. Daily, Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens are part of a long standing American tradition of providing quality religious instruction to New York City children, where the Catholic schools are older than the public schools, dating back to the year 1800. I am particularly proud of St. Joseph's in Astoria, whose supportive and dedicated parents I was happy to write a letter in praise of earlier this week. Mr. Speaker, from Head Start to high school, Catholic schools prepare our children to be positive influences on the lives of others, particularly in urban and inner city areas. They promote academic excellence and spiritual enrichment. Their values-centered instruction produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, their families, and the communities. They provide hope and promise to those who may be bereft of it. Perhaps most importantly, they have created opportunities to integrate the families and children of many nationalities and cultures into America and into New York.”