[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 16 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 16

    Designating the week of February 2 through February 6, 2009, as 
                  ``National School Counseling Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 16, 2009

   Mrs. Murray (for herself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating 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 Senate has recognized the importance of school counseling through 
        the inclusion of elementary and secondary school counseling programs in 
        the 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 every student;
Whereas personal and social growth results in increased academic achievement;
Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding them 
        through their academic, personal, social, and career development;
Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, 
        depression, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts 
        overseas, and school violence;
Whereas school counselors are among the few professionals in a school building 
        who are trained in both education and mental health matters;
Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often 
        misunderstood, and the school counselor position is often among the 
        first to be eliminated in order to meet budgetary constraints;
Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors of 476-to-1 
        is almost twice the 250-to-1 ratio recommended by the American School 
        Counselor Association, the American Counseling Association, the American 
        Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and other 
        organizations; and
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: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week of February 2 through February 6, 
        2009, as ``National School Counseling Week''; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that 
        promote awareness of the role school counselors perform in the 
        school and the community at large in preparing students for 
        fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.
                                 <all>