WHEREAS, Catholic schools will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2009 by recognizing that "Catholic Schools Celebrate Service"; and
     WHEREAS, Across the United States, close to half of students enrolled in private schools attend Catholic schools; and
     WHEREAS, A quality education is the foundation of a child's future and this week recognizes one of the many types of education choices available to our children; and
     WHEREAS, With their emphasis on academic excellence and moral values, Catholic schools enjoy high satisfaction rates among students and parents in addition to high achievement rates, including high school graduation rates of more than ninety-nine percent; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools encourage parent and community involvement in schools via a school board, commission, council, or parent organization; and
     WHEREAS, Close to 200,000 teachers and staff have answered the call to service in Catholic schools; and
     WHEREAS, The 7,800 Catholic schools in the United States, both elementary and secondary, save the government and taxpayers up to twenty billion dollars a year in public school expenses; and
     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 schools have been enriching students' lives in Washington State for more than one hundred fifty years; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State has close to 30,000 students in ninety-three Catholic schools; and
     WHEREAS, Catholic schools encourage and prepare students to obtain high levels of achievement through religious, academic, and cocurricular programs, and the schools are committed to serving students of diverse backgrounds; and
     WHEREAS, With a commitment to service, Catholic schools have produced many of our state's and our nation's finest leaders, including members of the Legislature and Catholic Schools Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the schools to our state;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the Catholic schools of Washington State and honors their academic excellence and faith-based instruction during this celebration of Catholic Schools Week, January 25 through January 31, 2009; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the school departments at the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, the Diocese of Yakima, and the Washington State Catholic Conference.