12-R128

2012 -- S 2743

Enacted 03/08/12

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 8, 2012, AS "CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DAY" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, DaPonte, and Walaska

Date Introduced: March 08, 2012

     WHEREAS, Catholic schools ensure a complete academic and values-based education

emphasizing the moral, intellectual, physical, and social development of young people throughout

Rhode Island and the nation; and 

     WHEREAS, Catholic schools produce students who are strongly dedicated to their faith,

values, families, and communities, by providing a safe, disciplined, and intellectually stimulating

environment rich in spiritual character and moral development for children of every creed and

color; and 

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's Catholic schools are acclaimed for their academic

excellence. Their elementary school students consistently score above the norm in national

standardized tests in all subject areas, and their high school graduation rate is nearly 100 percent,

with almost 95 percent of those graduates going on to college; and 

     WHEREAS, There are currently 43 Catholic elementary schools in the state with an

enrollment of an estimated 15,000 students; and 

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students and have

provided more than $1 million in tuition assistance to low-income families; and 

     WHEREAS, Educational research demonstrates that Catholic schools, better than any

other type of school, successfully close the learning achievement gap between children from high

and low socioeconomic groups; and  

     WHEREAS, Catholic schools provide millions of dollars in education and construction

savings to the state and local communities in Rhode Island every year; and 

     WHEREAS, Catholic school alumni, students, teachers, and parents contribute to, are

involved in, and are dedicated to the life of their parishes and communities well beyond their

numbers; and 

     WHEREAS, The 1997 Congregation of Catholic Education in Rome stated in their letter

on Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium: “The Catholic school, therefore,

undertakes a cordial and constructive dialogue with states and civil authorities.  Such dialogue

and collaboration must be based on mutual respect, on the reciprocal recognition of each other’s

role and on a common service to mankind. To achieve this end, the Catholic school willingly

occupies its place within the school system of the different countries and in the legislation of the

individual states, when the latter respect the fundamental tights of the human person, starting with

respect for life and religious freedom”; now, therefore, be it 

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims March 8th of 2012 to be "Catholic Schools Day" in the State of Rhode Island;

and be it further  

     RESOLVED, That we applaud the efforts and support the goals of Rhode Island

“Catholic Schools Day," an event sponsored by the Rhode Island Catholic Schools Parents

Federation. We furthermore congratulate the students, parents, teachers, and administrators for

their ongoing contributions to the education of Rhode Island's youth, and for the key role they

play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the State of Rhode Island; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin,  Bishop of

Providence, Mr. Daniel Ferris, Superintendent for Catholic Schools, and the Chair of the Board of

Directors for the Rhode Island Catholic Schools Parents Federation.

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LC02168

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