[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 99 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7427-S7428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar 80, Senate 
Resolution 63.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 63) proclaiming the week of October 
     19 through 25, 1997, 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. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid on the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution appear in the Record at this point.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 63) was considered and agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                               S. Res. 63

       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

[[Page S7428]]

     character and, therefore, conscientious efforts must be made 
     by institutions and individuals that influence youth to help 
     young people develop the essential traits and characteristics 
     that comprise good character;
       Whereas although character development is, first and 
     foremost, an obligation of families, the efforts of 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 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, ``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 6 core elements of character;
       Whereas the 6 core elements of character are 
     trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, 
     and citizenship;
       Whereas the 6 core elements of character transcend 
     cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences;
       Whereas the Aspen Declaration states, ``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 Senate encourages individuals and 
     organizations, especially those who have an interest in the 
     education and training of our youth, to adopt the 6 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 6 core 
     elements of character into programs serving students and 
     children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) proclaims the week of October 19 through October 25, 
     1997, as ``National Character Counts Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to embrace the 6 core elements of character and to 
     observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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