U.S. House Adopts Resolution On Lutheran Schools Week

Robert Federwitz
ELCA Director for Schools

Each year the first full week in March is set aside as National Lutheran Schools Week. This year that week was March 2–8. I trust that you held different celebratory events are your school or center during that week. During that same week, on Tuesday, March 4^th, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution honoring National Lutheran Schools Week! The vote was 407–0.

Congressman Douglas Bereuter (R-Nebr) wrote House Resolution 106 and Congressman Michael Castle (R-Delaware), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Education Reform presented the resolution. The bill was debated on the House floor on March 4th for approximately 20 minutes. I was fortunate to be able to see the debate live via CSPAN. Additional speakers to the bill were Lynn Woolsey (D-California), John Shimkus (R-Illinois), and Danny Davis (D-Illinois). Each spoke of the value of Lutheran Schools and the great contribution that Lutheran schools offer by providing high-quality education that challenge students to reach their full academic and spiritual potential. Each speaker shared how the Lutheran Schools in their congressional district benefit the community. Throughout the debate several banners run across the TV screen "Celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week" and "Lutheran Schools Resolution."

Following is a copy of the resolution for your reference:
H.L.C.

.......................................................

(Original Signature of Member)
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. RES. __
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. BEREUTER submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the House Sub-Committee on Education.

RESOLUTION
Congratulating Lutheran schools, students, parents, teachers, administrators, and congregations across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Nation’s Lutheran schools deliver high-quality education and challenge students to reach their potential;

Whereas there are 4,841 Lutheran early childhood centers, elementary schools, and secondary schools in the United States served by 40,076 teachers;

Whereas the Nation’s total Lutheran school student enrollment is 572,877;

Whereas Lutheran schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, values, and morals by providing an environment that encourages honesty, trust, respect, and responsibility; and

Whereas the week beginning on March 2, 2003, has been established as National Lutheran Schools Week for the purpose of recognizing the vital contributions of the Nation’s Lutheran early childhood education centers, elementary schools, and secondary schools:
Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports the goals of National Lutheran Schools Week, which is celebrated by several synods that have educational institutions, for the purpose of recognizing their academic achievement; and

(2) congratulates Lutheran schools, students, parents, teachers, administrators, and congregations across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education. F:\M8\BEREUT\BEREUT.027
F:\V8\022503\022503.0Q5
February 25, 2003 (4:56 PM)

The ELCA News Service issued the following press release that same week.

ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 6, 2003
U.S. HOUSE RECOGNIZES 'LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK'
03-042-JB

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution March 4 -- by a vote of 407 to 0 -- supporting the goals of Lutheran Schools Week, and congratulating "Lutheran schools, students, parents, teachers, administrators and congregations across the nation for their ongoing contributions to education."

The year's Lutheran Schools Week is March 2-8, with the theme, "Following Jesus in the World." Lutheran Schools Week is an annual observance intended to call attention to 4,841 Lutheran early childhood centers, and elementary and secondary schools, with more than 40,000 teachers serving 573,000 students. About 2,000 early childhood centers, elementary and secondary schools are affiliated with the 5.1-million member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), based here. Some 20,000 teachers and 250,000 students are part of the ELCA schools system.

Most other Lutheran schools, students and teachers are affiliated with the St. Louis-based Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, based in Milwaukee.

House Resolution 106 was introduced Feb. 26 by U.S. Rep. Douglas Bereuter (R-Neb. 1st). When the resolution was introduced, Bereuter, a member of the LCMS, said he is a graduate of a Lutheran elementary school and is "well-acquainted with the many first-rate Lutheran educational institutions in his congressional district."

"Not only are Lutheran schools known for their academic quality, but for their ability to aid moral development," Bereuter said. "These institutions provide spiritual guidance to students, instilling fundamental values that are crucial to personal development."

Through their education, Lutheran school children gain an appreciation for the importance of family values, community service and faith in their lives, he said. "This, in turn, has helped shape students of Lutheran schools into good leaders of tomorrow," Bereuter added.

In the resolution, House members noted that the nation's Lutheran schools "deliver high-quality education and challenge students to reach their potential." They added that Lutheran schools produce students who are "strongly dedicated" to their faith, values and morals by providing "an environment that encourages honesty, trust, respect and responsibility."

"We are truly honored by this resolution as it celebrates and lifts up before this entire nation the value our Lutheran schools offer by providing high-quality education in a faith-based community," said Robert Federwitz, ELCA associate in ministry and director for schools, ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools, in a letter to Bereuter. "Our Lutheran schools have an excellent reputation not only because of the high-quality education that is faith-based, but also because they provide safe, caring, nurturing communities that are often seen as islands of hope," Federwitz' letter said. "Our Lutheran schools have highly educated and highly dedicated administrators and teachers."

More information about Lutheran Schools Week: http://www.elca.org/dhes/schools/ schoolsweek on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
Following is my letter of thanks to Congressman Bereuter:

Dear Congressman Doug Bereuter:

On behalf of the nearly 2000 ELCA early childhood centers, elementary schools, and secondary schools I want to extend our sincere thank you and great appreciation for the resolution on Lutheran Schools Week that you are offering in the U.S. House of Representatives. We are truly honored by this resolution as it celebrates and lifts up before this entire nation the value our Lutheran Schools offer by providing high-quality education in a faith based community.

Our Lutheran Schools have an excellent reputation not only because of the high-quality education that is faith-based, but also because they provide a safe, caring, nurturing community that is often seen as islands of hope. Our Lutheran Schools have highly educated and highly dedicated administrators and teachers.

We commend you and thank you for holding up before Congress and this nation the value of Lutheran Education as we celebrate Lutheran Schools Weeks.

Sincerely,
Robert Federwitz
ELCA Director for Schools

This truly was an exciting event. Be proud of what you do!

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