U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) marked National Catholic Schools Week by visiting St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School in Lemont. The congressman toured several classrooms, talked with students about his experience in Catholic schools and answered their questions about his work as their representative.

Lipinski spoke to a school assembly on the importance of education and presented St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick Principal Renee Payne with an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol building. He also brought a copy of a Congressional resolution honoring Catholic schools for the “key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for our nation.”

A graduate of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep, Rep. Lipinski for seven consecutive years has introduced a resolution in Congress honoring National Catholic Schools Week and praising the  outstanding work of Catholic Schools.

This year’s theme for National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, was “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards.”