IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 56 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 13, 2009 Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California (for herself, Mr. Ehlers, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. McCollum, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Towns, Mr. Wu, Mr. Castle, and Mr. Loebsack) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of the week of February 2 through February 6, 2009, as National School Counseling Week.

Whereas the American School Counselor Association has declared the week of February 2 through February 6, 2009, as National School Counseling Week; Whereas the House of Representatives has recognized the importance of school counseling through the inclusion of elementary and secondary school counseling programs in the last reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the education system of the United States must leave no child behind and must provide opportunities for all students; Whereas school counselors have long emphasized the importance of personal and social development in academic achievement; Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding them through their academic, personal, social, and career development; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are aware of financial aid and college opportunities; Whereas school counselors may encourage students to pursue challenging academic courses to prepare them for college majors and careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; Whereas school counselors provide support for students whose family members have been deployed to conflicts overseas; Whereas school counselors help students cope with serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems, and problems in the home; Whereas school counselors are also instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma and community and national tragedies; Whereas school counselors are among the few professionals in a school building that are trained in both education and mental health; Whereas, despite the important contributions of school counselors to student success, counseling positions are not always protected when budgets are cut, especially in tough economic times; Whereas the average student-to-counselor ratio in America's public schools, 475 to 1, is almost double the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the American Counseling Association, and other organizations; Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week would increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States; and Whereas the week of February 2 through February 6, 2009, would be an appropriate week to designate as National School Counseling Week: Now, therefore, be it

That the United States House of Representatives— (1)honors and recognizes the contributions of school counselors to the success of students in our Nation's elementary and secondary schools; and (2)encourages the people of the United States to observe National School Counseling Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the crucial role school counselors play in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.