[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 CHARACTER EDUCATION COMMEMORATIVE WEEK

                                 ______


                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 1994

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing along with my 
colleagues, Messrs. Wolf, Hamilton, Hyde, Moakley, Emerson, Hughes, and 
Nick Smith, to designate the week of October 16 through October 22, 
1994, as National Character Counts Week. The purpose of this resolution 
is to bring national attention to the issue of character education and 
to encourage communities, schools, and youth organizations to promote 
six core elements of character. These are: trustworthiness; respect, 
responsibility; justice and fairness; caring; and civic virtue and 
citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, character education programs teach civic values and 
character traits that have widespread support among the American 
people. The ultimate goal of character education is to teach students 
about the shared values evident in our country which contribute to 
ethical behavior and good citizenship. This is particularly relevant to 
our efforts to combat drugs and school violence. If we do not teach 
children sound moral principles, we cannot expect them to act with 
moral common sense or make judgments of right and wrong. Families have 
the primary responsibility to teach values to their children, but when 
they do not, schools must step in and teach our age-old principles.
  In July 1992, a group of scholars, educators, and youth leaders 
drafted a document known as the Aspen declaration which articulates a 
framework for character education appropriate to our diverse and 
pluralistic society. Included in the Aspen declaration are the six core 
elements of character which can be appropriately taught to our 
children. The bipartisan character counts coalition was formed to 
promote these six core elements of character as an effort to promote 
stronger individuals and thus a stronger nation.

  Advisory members of the character counts coalition represent many 
ideological views. Advisers include William Bennett of Empower America; 
Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund; our 
former colleague Barbara Jordan; actor Tom Selleck; Nina Link, 
publisher of the Children's Television Workshop; and, Sylvia Peters, a 
founding partner of the Edison project. In addition, this resolution is 
supported by the Character Education Partnership [CEP], an organization 
of nationwide organizations and individuals involved in education and 
youth service. CEP's membership includes the National Education 
Association, the American Federation of Teacher, the National 
Association of School Boards, the National Association of Evangelicals 
and many others.
  Mr. Speaker, Theodore Roosevelt said: ``To educate a man in mind and 
not in character is to educate a menace to society,'' This 
commemorative resolution will give communities across the country an 
opportunity to embrace character education and to promote the six core 
elements of character. I am submitting a copy of our resolution for the 
benefit of my colleagues and I urge my colleagues to cosponsor it:

                              H. J. Res.--

       Whereas young people will be the stewards of our 
     communities, Nation, and 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 the Nation;
       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 youth-influencing 
     institutions and individuals to help young people develop the 
     essential traits and characteristics that comprise good 
     character;
       Whereas character development is, first and foremost, an 
     obligation of families, efforts by 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 Congress encourages students, teachers, 
     parents, youth and community leaders to recognize the 
     valuable role our youth play in the present and future of our 
     Nation, 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 ethnics 
     scholars for the purpose of articulating a coherent frame-
     work for character education appropriate to a diverse and 
     pluralistic society;
       Whereas the Aspen Declaration states that ``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 Six Core Elements of Character;
       Whereas these Six Core Elements of Character are--
       (1) trustworthiness;
       (2) respect;
       (3) responsibility;
       (4) justice and fairness;
       (5) caring; and
       (6) civic virtue and citizenship.
       Whereas these Six Core Elements of Character transcend 
     cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences;
       Whereas the Aspen Declaration states that ``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 ethnical values and every social 
     institution has the responsibility to promote the development 
     of good character.'';
       Whereas the Congress encourages individuals and 
     organizations, especially those who have an interest in the 
     education and training of our youth, to adopt these Six Core 
     Elements of Character as intrinsic to the well-being of 
     individuals, communities, and society as a whole; and
       Whereas the Congress encourages communities, especially 
     schools and youth organizations, to integrate these Six Core 
     Elements of Character into programs serving students and 
     children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week 
     of October 16 through October 22, 1994, is designated as 
     ``National Character Counts Week'', and the President is 
     authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon 
     the people of the United States and interested groups to 
     embrace these Six Core Elements of Character and to observe 
     the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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