[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 112 (Friday, July 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 435, Senate 
Resolution 226.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 226) to proclaim the week of October 
     13 through October 19, 1996, as ``National Character Counts 
     Week.''

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
resolution appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 226) was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 226

       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 civil 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 Senate encourages students, teachers, parents, 
     youth, and community leaders to recognize leaders to 
     recognize the valuable role our youth play in the present and 
     future of our Nation, and to recognized 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 democracy society'';
       Whereas the core ethical values identified by the Aspen 
     Declaration constitute the six core elements of character;
       Whereas the six core elements of character are 
     trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, justice and 
     fairness, caring, civic virtue, and citizenship;
       Whereas the 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 
     reach 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 six 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 six core 
     elements of character into programs serving students and 
     children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate proclaims the week of October 13 
     through October 19, 1996, as National Character Counts Week, 
     and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     upon the people of the United States and interested groups to 
     embrace the six core elements of character and to observe the 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
     
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