[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  Ms. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further consideration 
of the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 178) to proclaim the week of 
October 16 through October 22, 1994, as ``National Character Counts 
Week,'' and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution:
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to 
the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hall], the chief sponsor of House Joint 
Resolution 366.
  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the kind gentlewoman for 
yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support this resolution which I 
sponsored along with my colleagues, Messrs. Wolf, Hamilton, Hyde, 
Moakley, Emerson, Hughes and Smith of Michigan, to designate the week 
of October 16 through October 22, 1994, as National Character Counts 
Week. I also want to extend my appreciation to both Chairman Clay and 
Ranking Member Myers for allowing this resolution to be considered on 
the House floor today.
  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. Advisors 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 solution 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 Teachers, 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. The other body has already passed overwhelmingly 
a similar resolution on June 24. I want to personally thank the 218 
Members who have signed onto this resolution, and I urge my colleagues 
to vote for it.
  Mr. Speaker, I also personally want to thank my very able aide, 
Gabrielle Williamson, who worked very hard to gather these signatures.

                              {time}  1450

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation of objection, I 
again want to thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hall] for his 
leadership on this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf], 
another major sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, before I make a statement, let me just say I 
want to pay particular tribute to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hall], 
because he has been working on this issue for a number of years and it 
is a pleasure to be here at the culmination when this finally passes.
  I also, on the Senate side, Senator Pete Domenici, who has worked so 
hard and has now instituted these programs in the Albuquerque and some 
of the other New Mexico schools.
  It has been said that values are the emotional rules by which the 
Nation governs itself. As a member of Congress, been deeply concerned 
about the disturbing trends I have observed in the well-being of our 
Nation's families and children. From our inner cities to our suburbs, 
the wheels are coming off on many of the younger generation and clearly 
your children cannot steer clear of trouble without the guidance from a 
set of basic principles of character which contribute to ethical 
behavior and good citizenship.
  I am pleased to be part of the effort in Congress to promote National 
Character Counts Week to focus attention on the core elements of 
character to which we as a nation must commit ourselves to provide 
positive influence for our next generation:
  Trustworthiness, no one can differ with that; respect, no one can 
differ with that; responsibility, no can differ with that; justice and 
fairness and caring and civic virtue and citizenship. These are all 
things that we, I think, all can agree upon. Our children need to know 
that character does count.
  Again, I thank the committee for bringing this legislation out, 
particularly my colleague from Ohio for providing the leadership, and 
again Senator Domenici for making a difference on the Senate side.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise as one of the prime 
sponsors of H.J. Res. 366 to support its passage. We need to remember 
that our actions influence our children. When they see public officials 
seeking special treatment, or parents not being totally honest or 
``fudging'' on their income tax, or teachers or any other person in a 
leadership position flouting the law or not showing respect to others, 
they often conclude that honesty and character are not that important. 
When they see the government reward irresponsibility, young people too 
often choose to be irresponsible.
  Ethical values are critical to maintaining a free and civilized 
society. We must teach these values at home, and reinforce them in our 
schools and our society. As a strong believer in the importance of 
character, I introduced and passes a sense of Congress amendment to the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, that would encourage States and 
local school systems to work with and support parents by reinforcing 
the ethical principles of trustworthiness, respect for others, 
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
  I'm working to promote these principles in consultation with the 
Character Coalition and the Josephson Institute of Ethics. The 
coalition is a national partnership of individuals and over 40 
organizations including the 4-H club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United 
Way, YMCA, and the National Association of Secondary Principals, 
committed to improving the character of America's young people through 
education and training.
  On concern about teaching values has been the question of whose 
values to teach. That's why the idea of building character by 
emphasizing the importance of six basic defined values might be the 
answer. As parents and citizens, we should all get involved to combat 
violence, dishonesty, and irresponsibility by strengthening the moral 
fiber of the next generation. We must put character development at the 
forefront if we're ever going to be successful at cutting crime, 
improving education, fixing the welfare system, reducing dependence on 
government and achieving greater individual responsibility.
  For young people to develop good character and strong values, they 
need good examples at home that are reinforced at school, and in the 
community. As Theodore Roosevelt said, ``to educate a person in mind 
but not morals is to educate a menace to society.''
  The six-core ethical values encouraged in House Joint Resolution Res. 
366 are trustworthiness:
  Honesty--Do: tell the truth; be sincere. Don't: betray a trust, 
deceive, mislead, cheat, or steal; don't be devious or tricky.
  Integrity--Do: stand up for your beliefs; be your best self; walk 
your talk; show commitment, courage, and self-discipline. Don't: do 
anything you think is wrong.
  Promise-Keeping--Do: keep your word and honor you commitments; pay 
your debts and return what you borrow.
  Loyalty--Do: stand by, support and protect your family, friends, and 
country. Don't: talk behind people's backs; spread rumors or engage in 
harmful gossip; don't do anything wrong to keep or win a friendship or 
gain approval; don't ask a friend to do something wrong.
  Second, respect for others:
  Do: judge all people on their merits; be courteous and polite, 
tolerant, appreciative and accepting of individual differences; respect 
the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives. 
Don't: abuse demean, or mistreat anyone; don't use, manipulate, exploit 
or take advantage of others.
  Third, responsibility:
  Accountability--Do: think before you act; consider the consequences 
on all people affected; think for the long-term; be reliable; be 
accountable; accept responsibility for the consequences of your 
choices; set a good example for those who look up to you; Don't make 
excuses, blame others for your mistakes or take credit for others 
achievements.
  Excellence--Do: your best and keep trying; be diligent and 
industrious. Don't: quit or give up easily.
  Self-Restraint--Do: exercise self-restraint and be disciplined.
  Fourth, justice and fairness:
  Do: treat all people fairly; be open-mined; listen to others; try to 
understand what they are saying and feeling, make decisions which 
affect others only after appropriate considerations. Don't: take unfair 
advantage of other's mistakes or take more than your fair share.
  Fifth, caring:
  Do: show you care about others through kindness, caring, sharing and 
compassion, live by the Golden Rule and help others. Don't: be selfish, 
mean, cruel or insensitive to other's feelings.
  And sixth, citizenship:
  Do: play by the rules; obey laws; do your share: respect authority; 
stay informed; vote; protect your neighbors; pay your taxes; be 
charitable; help your community by volunteering service; protect the 
environment; conserve natural resources.
  I urge every family, community, and every organization working with 
young people to be active in recognizing October 16 through October 22, 
1994, as ``National Character Counts Week''.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I 
have no other requests to speak on this very important resolution, 
except I am pleased to note and certainly subscribe to the six core 
elements of character that were mentioned from the Aspen Declaration of 
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, justice and fairness, caring, 
civic virtue, and citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER. pro tempore (Mr. Menendez). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 78

       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;
       Where as 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 services 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 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 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 ethical 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.

  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on 
the table.

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