LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating Catholic Schools Week 2012

WHEREAS, For over 200 years, the Catholic school communities of New York
State have provided quality religious and academic education; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of
the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across
the country play in providing a values-added education for America's
young people; Catholic schools are proud of their educational network
that emphasizes the intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social
values in their students; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools Week is a key part of the yearlong National
Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools; the goal of Catholic Schools
Week is to build community awareness of, and involvement in, Catholic
schools throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, The Catholic school communities of New York State are dedi-
cated to teaching with spiritual, academic, and social excellence so
that all students may become empowered to make a difference in their
communities and the world; and
WHEREAS, This year, the Catholic school communities of New York State
will celebrate their long tradition of academic excellence during
Catholic Schools Week, which begins the last Sunday in January and runs
all week, which in 2012 is January 29 to February 5; the theme for 2012
is "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service."; and
WHEREAS, Catholic schools have been an integral part of our Nation
since its earliest days; in 1606, Franciscan missionaries opened the
first Catholic school in the New World at St. Augustine, Florida; and
WHEREAS, In 1640, a Catholic school opened in Maryland, and in 1727,
the Ursuline order opened a school in New Orleans; Georgetown Universi-
ty, the Nation's oldest Catholic institution of higher learning, was
founded in 1789; schools opened in Philadelphia in 1782, and in New York
in 1785; and
WHEREAS, In 1808, Elizabeth Seton opened a school in Baltimore and
later in Emmitsburg, Maryland; her schools are considered the forerun-
ners of today's Catholic schools; and
WHEREAS, For many immigrant populations, Catholic schools provided a
way to preserve their ethnic culture and values because students were
taught in the language of their former lands; and
WHEREAS, In other parts of the country, Catholic schools looked to the
needs of orphans, American Indian children, and minority children; they
were places to revere religion while also teaching patriotic values; and
WHEREAS, The Catholic schools of New York State and the Nation have
made an enduring impact on the fabric of American life, by teaching the
values of concern for others, compassion, safety, and a love of learn-
ing; and
WHEREAS, The Catholic school communities of New York State will
continue to play a crucial role in the local, State, and national commu-
nities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate Catholic Schools Week 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Catholic school communities of New York State.