From: Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@earthlink.net>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:26:52 PM US/Pacific
To: ARN Main List <arn-l@interversity.org>,
arn2-strategy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [arn2-strategy] Bush NCLB Renewal Agenda Includes Parochial
School Bailout
Reply-To: arn2-strategy@yahoogroups.com
FUNDING URGED FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Washington Times -- April 14, 2007
by Jon Ward and Natasha Altamirano
President Bush yesterday said he will try to prevent an increasing
number of inner-city Catholic parochial schools from closing by adding
funding for them in the upcoming renewal of the No Child Left Behind
law.
America's Catholic schools "have given millions of Americans the
knowledge and character they need to succeed in life," Mr. Bush said
during a short speech at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.
"Today, these schools are also serving thousands of non-Catholic
children in some of nation's poorest neighborhoods," the president
said.
"I am worried that too many of these schools are closing, and our
nation
needs to do something about it."
The fourth annual breakfast -- established in 2004 in response to
Pope John Paul II's appeal for a "new evangelization" -- attracted
political and religious leaders, including Supreme Court Chief Justice
John G. Roberts Jr., Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., and the
Most. Rev. Pietro Sambi, the Vatican's envoy to the United States.
Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl lauded the history of faith's
influence on U.S. public policy and called on the nearly 1,500
attendees
to continue the legacy.
"As believers, we look to our faith," Archbishop Wuerl said at the
Washington Hilton. "We should look to our most deeply held convictions
when we address matters that affect our nation's activities at home or
abroad."
Archbishop Wuerl pointed to issues that still demand attention,
including abortion, immigration and education.
"Religious faith has played and continues to play a significant
role
in promoting social justice issues just as it has in defending all
innocent human life," he said.
Mr. Bush also made reference to abortion, stem-cell research and
human cloning.
"Renewing the promise of America begins with upholding the dignity
of human life," Mr. Bush said.
"In our day, there is a temptation to manipulate life in ways that
do not respect the humanity of the person. When that happens, the most
vulnerable among us can be valued for their utility to others --
instead
of their own inherent worth."
After the event, Mr. Bush met at the White House in the afternoon
with parochial school leaders and parents from across the nation.
The closing of Catholic schools, especially in low-income
neighborhoods, is "a national concern" for the National Catholic
Education Association, said NCEA President Karen Ristau.
Mr. Bush wants to expand school choice, similar to what exists in
Washington, to states across the country. His proposal for
reauthorizing
No Child Left Behind would include funds for scholarships that would
allow students in low-performing schools to transfer to private
schools.
The president's reauthorization plan would also push for more
Catholic schools to be allowed by states to provide after-school
tutoring to public school students.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070414-122242-3837r.htm
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