[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 98 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 98

Designating the week beginning October 17, 1999, and the week beginning 
        October 15, 2000, as ``National Character Counts Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 6, 1999

 Mr. Domenici (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
   Frist, Mr. Dorgan, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Cleland, Mr. 
  Bennett, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
 Sarbanes, Mr. Burns, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. DeWine, Ms. Collins, 
 Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bond, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. Reid, 
   Mr. Wellstone, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
Kennedy, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Breaux, Mr. 
Conrad, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Warner, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Bunning, 
  Mr. Hagel, Mr. Allard, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Gorton, Mr. Stevens, Mr. 
 Nickles, Mr. Lott, Mr. Specter, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Mack, Mr. Craig, Mr. 
    Biden, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Grams, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Moynihan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week beginning October 17, 1999, and the week beginning 
        October 15, 2000, as ``National Character Counts Week''.

Whereas young people will be the stewards of our communities, the United States, 
        and the world in critical times, and the present and future well-being 
        of our society requires an involved, caring citizenry with good 
        character;
Whereas concerns about the character training of children have taken on a new 
        sense of urgency as violence by and against youth threatens the physical 
        and psychological well-being of people of the United States;
Whereas more than ever, children need strong and constructive guidance from 
        their families and their communities, including schools, youth 
        organizations, religious institutions, and civic groups;
Whereas the character of a nation is only as strong as the character of its 
        individual citizens;
Whereas the public good is advanced when young people are taught the importance 
        of good character, and that character counts in personal relationships, 
        in school, and in the workplace;
Whereas scholars and educators agree that people do not automatically develop 
        good character and, therefore, conscientious efforts must be made by 
        institutions and individuals that influence youth to help young people 
        develop the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good 
        character;
Whereas although character development is, first and foremost, an obligation of 
        families, the efforts of faith communities, schools, and youth, civic, 
        and human service organizations also play a very important role in 
        supporting family efforts by fostering and promoting good character;
Whereas the Senate encourages students, teachers, parents, youth, and community 
        leaders to recognize the valuable role our youth play in the present and 
        future of the United States and to recognize that character is an 
        important part of that future;
Whereas in July 1992, the Aspen Declaration was written by an eminent group of 
        educators, youth leaders, and ethics scholars for the purpose of 
        articulating a coherent framework for character education appropriate to 
        a diverse and pluralistic society;
Whereas the Aspen Declaration states, ``Effective character education is based 
        on core ethical values which form the foundation of democratic 
        society.'';
Whereas the core ethical values identified by the Aspen Declaration constitute 
        the 6 core elements of character;
Whereas the 6 core elements of character are trustworthiness, respect, 
        responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship;
Whereas the 6 core elements of character transcend cultural, religious, and 
        socioeconomic differences;
Whereas the Aspen Declaration states, ``The character and conduct of our youth 
        reflect the character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has 
        the responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values and every 
        social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of 
        good character.'';
Whereas the Senate encourages individuals and organizations, especially those 
        who have an interest in the education and training of our youth, to 
        adopt the 6 core elements of character as intrinsic to the well-being of 
        individuals, communities, and society as a whole; and
Whereas the Senate encourages communities, especially schools and youth 
        organizations, to integrate the 6 core elements of character into 
        programs serving students and children: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) proclaims the week beginning October 17, 1999, and the 
        week beginning October 15, 2000, as ``National Character Counts 
        Week''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
        groups to--
                    (A) embrace the 6 core elements of character 
                identified by the Aspen Declaration, which are 
                trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, 
                caring, and citizenship; and
                    (B) observe the week with appropriate ceremonies 
                and activities.
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