[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H9042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CHARACTER EDUCATION

  (Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of character 
education and the strengthening of our public schools. I know teaching 
our children values and ethics will help improve education.
  Last week I visited three schools in my district where character 
counts. They have embraced character education. They provide 
instruction on how to make good decisions. It teaches each child to 
control his own behavior. It teaches children to look at the world 
through a moral lense. Character education adapts existing educational 
material to inspire development of core ethical values among all 
students in the learning process.
  Madam Speaker, it complements the efforts of parents, family, 
churches and the business community in developing qualities in our 
children that will strengthen our society. It emphasizes courage, good 
judgment, integrity, kindness, perseverance, respect, responsibility, 
and self-discipline.
  Character education is a public school initiative that can improve 
education in America. Unfortunately, Congress would rather play 
politics with our children's future. Madam Speaker, we do not need 
vouchers to put tax money in private and religious schools. Let us 
defeat vouchers.

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