WHEREAS, Across the country, Catholic schools celebrate the 2013 Catholic Schools Week with the theme: Catholic Schools Raise the Standards; 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, The common good of the state of Washington is strengthened through the continued existence of Catholic schools; and
     WHEREAS, Washington state has 27,000 students of diverse backgrounds 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
     WHEREAS, With an emphasis on academic excellence, spirituality, and moral values, Catholic schools and their students attain high achievement, including high school graduation rates of more than ninety-nine percent; and
     WHEREAS, The 7,800 Catholic schools in the United States, both elementary and secondary, save almost twenty billion dollars a year in public school expenses; and
     WHEREAS, With a commitment to service, Catholic schools have produced many of our state's and nation's finest leaders, including members of this legislature;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Catholic schools of Washington state and honor their dedication to academic excellence and faith-based instruction during the celebration of Catholic Schools Week; 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.