April 22, 2008

Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education to attend

White House Summit

On Thursday, April 24, Carol A. Kostyniak, secretary for Catholic education for the Diocese of Buffalo, will be in Washington, D.C., to participate in the White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our diocese to understand what is happening across the country and to establish a network to share issues and potential solutions for the challenges facing Catholic schools,” she said.

“I am concerned about the loss of a major national asset, and that is the decline of Catholic schools, particularly in inner-city America,” President George W. Bush said at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast last Friday in Washington. Because of his concern, the president has convened the summit at which approximately 350 participants are expected. Attendees will include leaders in education, policymaking, research, philanthropy, business and community development.

The purpose, President Bush said, is to impress upon Congress the need to develop “reasonable legislation” and practical solutions to “save these schools and, more importantly, to save the children.” The group will discuss the challenges the schools face as well as explore solutions.

Illustrating his concern for education and school choice, President Bush, recommended a $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids in January. “The reason I did so is because I want to help low-income children in underperforming public schools to be able to attend a private or parochial school of their choice.”

-30-