Reps. Cotter, Clemente, Constan, Denby, Dillon, Forlini, Franz, Geiss, Goike, Haines, Heise, Horn, Huuki, Kandrevas, LaFontaine, LeBlanc, Liss, Lund, MacMaster, Poleski, Shaughnessy, Slavens, Stapleton and Tyler offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 13.

A resolution to declare January 30-February 5, 2011, as Catholic Schools Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, There are 59,857 students attending 246 Catholic elementary and high schools

throughout our great state; and

Whereas, The Constitution of Michigan states that “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged”; and

Whereas, Catholic schools provide young people with a strong foundation of values and academic skills needed to become responsible citizens of our state and nation; and

Whereas, The Catholic Church sees the parents as the primary educators and that parental supervision and involvement play a major role in the education of students; and

Whereas, Catholic schools believe that teaching morals and values is essential to the complete education of the student since every member of society continually makes moral decisions; and

Whereas, Catholic schools educate many students who are non-Catholic and many students who are economically disadvantaged; and

Whereas, Catholic school educators are dedicated to producing academically-strong students who also commit themselves to service; and

Whereas, January 30-February 5, 2011, has been designated as Catholic Schools Week, with the theme "Catholic Schools-A+ For America," as denoted by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and

Whereas, The dividends of a Catholic school education: faith, knowledge, morals and discipline last a lifetime; and

Whereas, The common good of the state of Michigan is strengthened through the existence of Catholic schools; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare January 30-February 5, 2011, as Catholic Schools Week in the state of Michigan, due to the great accomplishments and contributions of Catholic schools in and to our state; and be it

further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Catholic Conference with our highest esteem.