Honoring the Contributions of Catholic Schools

HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS -- (House of Representatives - January 21, 2004)

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 492) honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

The Clerk read as follows:

H. Res. 492

Whereas America's Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence, but provide students more than a superior scholastic education;

Whereas Catholic schools ensure a broad, values-added education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in America's young people;

Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2003-2004 academic year is 2,600,000 and the student-teacher ratio is 17 to 1;

Whereas Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students;

Whereas more than 26 percent of school children enrolled in Catholic schools are from minority backgrounds, and more than 14 percent are non-Catholics;

Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral development;

Whereas in the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic education, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops stated: "Education is one of the most important ways by which the Church fulfills its commitment to the dignity of the person and building of community. Community is central to education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently desired goal. The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives."; and

Whereas January 25-31, 2004, has been designated as Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, an event celebrating its 30th year: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

(1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools; and

(2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education, and for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation.

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Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am going to support this resolution, of course, notwithstanding the most recent information I have received from our colleague. I congratulate the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for bringing it to the floor.

(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to speak out of order.)

CARLTON R. SICKLES, A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, a former colleague of our ours died last Saturday morning. He was an extraordinarily good human being and a very close friend. I want to pay tribute to a good and decent American, an absolutely wonderful individual, Carlton R. Sickles, who passed away early Saturday.

It is unfortunate that millions of people whose lives he touched during his 82 years never had the benefit of knowing him personally. I am blessed as many in this body were blessed by knowing him well. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, a former Maryland legislator, a gubernatorial candidate and a Member of the House from 1963 to 1967.

But he is perhaps best known, Mr. Speaker, for those of us who live in the Washington metropolitan area as the father of the Metrorail transit system which today serves millions of customers every single year, not only those who live in this region but those millions of people who come to the Washington metropolitan area to visit their Capitol and their Representatives.

On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, I will forever be indebted to Carlton for encouraging me to choose a career in public service. I wanted to run for the House of Delegates in 1966. He was running for governor. He urged me to run for the State Senate. I did not think I could win a State Senate seat. I was 2 months out of law school and thought that premature, but he continued to encourage me. And the third time he asked I ran, and I was fortunate enough to be successful. That has made a huge difference in my life.

He encouraged so many others to participate in public service. His own public service was a credit to elective office, a credit to this institution, a credit to Maryland, and his community.

To his wife Jacqueline, his children, and all his family, I offer my deepest condolences. Carlton was a role model who left a tremendous legacy. He will be sorely missed.

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