WHEREAS, Catholic education is an integral part of the mission of the Catholic Church, and its strong commitment to students and educational excellence is of great value to the State of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic school educators have been enriching students' lives in Washington State for more than one hundred fifty years, beginning with the Sisters of Providence at Fort Vancouver; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools throughout the state provide thousands of students a safe and thriving environment in which they can obtain quality education; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools are committed to serving students of diverse backgrounds, and the Catholic community generously continues to strive toward making its schools available, accessible, and affordable; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools encourage and prepare students to obtain high levels of achievement through religious, academic, and cocurricular programs; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools across the State of Washington have almost twenty-nine thousand prekindergarten through high school students receiving an exceptional education in ninety-three elementary and secondary schools; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic school educators are dedicated to producing academically strong students who also commit themselves to service; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools have trained many of our finest leaders throughout this state and nation; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools have been nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education as "Schools of Excellence"; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools across the nation are celebrating "Catholic Schools Week 2006: Character. Compassion. Values.";
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Catholic schools of Washington State and honor their academic excellence and faith-based instruction during this celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Sunday, January 29, 2006, through Saturday, February 4, 2006; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the school departments at the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, the Diocese of Yakima, and the Washington State Catholic Conference.