2012 -- S 2743

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LC02168

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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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

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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

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Rhode Island and the nation; and 

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

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

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

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color; and 

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

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

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

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

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

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enrollment of an estimated 15,000 students; and 

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

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

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

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

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and low socioeconomic groups; and  

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

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

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

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

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numbers; and 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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and be it further  

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

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

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

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

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

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further  

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

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

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

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Directors for the Rhode Island Catholic Schools Parents Federation.

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LC02168

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