March 6, 2003

CHICAGO - 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.). 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."

ELCA News Service