[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S772-S776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 176--PROCLAIMING ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''

  Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Cochran, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. 
Bennett, Mr. Lieberman,  Mr. Kempthorne, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Frist, and Mr. 
Cleland) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 176

         
       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 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

[[Page S773]]

     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 18 through October 24, 
     1998, 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.

                     NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, fellow Senators, today, for the fifth 
consecutive year I am going to submit a resolution on behalf of myself, 
Senators Dodd, Cochran, Bennett, Lieberman, Mikulski, Kempthorne, 
Dorgan, Frist, and Cleland. This resolution that we have introduced 5 
consecutive years sets aside the week of October 18-24 of this year for 
what we call National Character Counts Week.
  About 6\1/2\ years ago, a very distinguished group of Americans from 
all walks of life met for 3 or 4 days to talk about the character of 
America and the character of American people and decided after 3 days 
of debate that there were, in fact, six pillars of character. If these 
pillars could permeate our society and our children, we would all be 
better for it, America would be better for it and, most of all, our 
lives would be better for it.
  These six pillars were determined at that point in time and they have 
remained ever since as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, 
fairness, caring, and citizenship. They are referred to as the six 
pillars of character.
  Mr. President and fellow Senators, when one looks at what has 
developed in these years, to help our teachers--be they in private or 
public schools--talk to students and teach them about these six 
pillars, it is obvious that these are basic concepts, basic ideas that 
hardly anyone in America would disagree with. That is not to say that 
anybody is preaching, but would we not like our children to learn the 
value of honesty? That is what trustworthiness is. Would we not like 
our young children and even our business community to be cognizant of 
and practice respect? And would we not want, as our children grow and 
as people begin to understand what holds a country together, would we 
not want responsibility to become part of the vocabulary of every 
child, every young person?
  I can go through all six, and I can find different words to express 
each of the six. It is obvious, however, if you move throughout the 
State of New Mexico or the State of Georgia--I note my good friend, 
Senator Cleland is here--if you ask a group of people from all walks of 
life, various religions, various degrees of faith, even agnostics: ``Do 
you object to our young people learning trustworthiness, respect, 
responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship?'', you rarely get a 
negative response.
  Now, this six pillars-character approach is spreading throughout our 
country, and those who came up with the idea and the foundation which 
has the right to use these pillars of character do not intend to impose 
from on high; rather they ask that individuals, schools, leaders, 
organizations such as the Boy Scouts, NFL player groups, adopt these 
six pillars and then do something about them.
  I would be less than honest if I did not tell you the place these six 
pillars are spreading most rapidly is the right place--in the schools. 
Teachers are excited, believe it or not. Some have expressed to me they 
are now permitted to do what they always thought they should do but 
because we got all mixed up in terms of what you couldn't do in a 
classroom, these kind of lessons were left out. It now seems that 
without much objection, many school boards have said let's do it. 
Teachers are trying to permeate the halls, the classrooms, the meeting 
rooms and the minds of young people with these six pillars.
  I will in my prepared remarks talk just a little bit about my State, 
the State of New Mexico. We organized partnerships with a number of 
mayors, the Governor joined, and we have now about 90 percent of all 
the schoolchildren in the State of New Mexico, parochial and private, 
that are exposed and taught and work with these six pillars--not some 
other words that describe it--these six words.
  So there is a commonality now of usage of words. A commonality of 
examples that are used. Mr. President, you might have been thrilled to 
go to a grade school in New Mexico with me on a given day when the 
pillar called ``responsibility'' had been the subject matter in that 
school for one month. The way a significant number of schools do it is 
take one pillar a month. Teach everything else you teach, but also 
include the word of the month in these classes. You would have walked 
into that grade school and seen the walls plastered with signs and 
pictures the students had drawn about the word of the month, such as 
the word responsibility. You could then go to an assembly where all the 
little children with their teachers talked about responsibility for 
about an hour and gave awards where young people said that is the most 
responsible student in the class and this is what he or she did. It is 
rather exciting.
  Now, frankly, it is not the business of any State Department of 
Education, If character education is going to be done, each school has 
to desire to do it along with the principal, teachers, and parents.
  Needless to say, people ask, is it working? Frankly, I can't stand 
here and tell you I am absolutely certain of all the positive aspects, 
but I can tell you that we are beginning to get more than anecdotal 
information from schools that have been doing it for 2 or 3 years. They 
note that there is a noticeable change in behavior and relationship of 
children to children and, indeed, of teachers to children. Many would 
claim, indeed, that this does more for changing the character of our 
country in the right direction than almost anything that is going on 
out there except the organized activity of the faith people of the 
country as they proceed with their faith-filled lessons.
  In our State we are now experimenting with the very first group of 
businessmen who are trying to inculcate the six pillars of character, 
in an institutional way, into their businesses. They are going to try 
to see if they can incorporate these values as a part of the life of a 
business, the life of the employees, and all of their relationships to 
the public. They hope that these values will then be passed on to 
others, if indeed, it has a measure of success.
  Now, we are not unique. I happened to put the resolution in the 
Senate 5 years ago and asked ten Senators to join me. Former Senator 
Sam Nunn was one of the original ten. His successor, Senator Max 
Cleland, has joined us now as an original sponsor. He is here now in 
the chamber, and I will yield to him in a few minutes.
  I in no way stand here suggesting that there are not many better 
examples than my State of New Mexico. There probably are. I just feel 
very good every now and then, once a year, to tell the Senate a few 
exciting stories about what is going on in our State in this regard. In 
the prepared remarks I cite many other examples of how the six pillars 
are working and how the public is responding and how televisions and 
radio stations help promote

[[Page S774]]

these pillars. They are now kind of common, ordinary language among the 
people in the State of New Mexico. I think that is all a very good 
start.
  This resolution will designate the week of October 18-24, 1998, as 
National Character Counts Week, when individuals and organizations may 
observe specifically their programs and activities supporting character 
development.
  All of us who have been involved with character education programs 
know about the extraordinary growth of these efforts across the 
country. Regardless of our support here in Washington, the development 
of character programs the grassroots level has been the most exciting. 
Good character can be endorsed and supported by Government, but it is 
families, schools, and communities that make the real difference.
  Over the past 4 years since we initiated community-based Character 
Counts programs in New Mexico, the public and private schools in the 
State have incorporated the Character Counts message in most of the 
State's schools. Almost 200,000 students are receiving instruction and 
are involved in activities that promote the Six Pillars of Character: 
Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and 
Citizenship. Whether the Six Pillars appear on billboards, on town 
waterbills, or are incorporated into a school's curriculum, the message 
of good character permeates the community.
  The six simple words are not just words in a vocabulary. They are 
concepts that have meaning to children and adults alike, resulting in 
tangible actions that change for the better how they relate to and 
interact with one another. Today, I would like mention just a couple of 
examples of how the Character Counts efforts in New Mexico are changing 
the daily lives of its citizens for the better.
  I would like to recount one of the most inspiring Character Counts 
initiatives I have seen in New Mexico. It is about Emerson Elementary 
School in Albuquerque. The school has 800 students speaking more than 
11 languages. The school is located in a densely populated, culturally 
diverse and highly mobile area, with a 98.5 percent poverty rating. 
Many refer to this area of the city as a ``war zone'' because of its 
high crime rate. The challenges facing the school administration, 
teachers, and its Principal Linda Torres far exceed those of most 
schools; its academic challenges are as great as the community's social 
challenges.
  The Character Counts program at Emerson Elementary was initiated as a 
total Social Skills Curriculum, with the Six Pillars integrated into 
all its daily classes and reinforced with various activities to reward 
the students for good behavior. At the same time, the school utilizes a 
human services collaborative support program for the 500 families 
associated with the school. It works with social service organizations 
to ensure the entire family is assisted, whether it is providing 
nutritional advice or clothing to needy families. In an effort to 
maximize community involvement of adults and children, the school 
children adopted the Veterans Memorial Park across the street from the 
school as one of their civic projects. They help maintain and patrol 
the park, and since the project began there have been no problems with 
graffiti.
  Emerson Elementary has become a virtual community center in this area 
of the city and a true haven for the children and their parents. 
Principal Linda Torres believes that among all the conflicts that need 
addressing or resolving within the school and in the community, it is 
clear that the values that reside ``inside a person'' are as critical 
as anything the school attempts to provide. In summarizing the success 
of Character Counts, Principal Torres says, ``the community gives back 
to the school and the school gives back to the community--it's not just 
a situation of taking, it's the concept of giving that makes a 
difference.''
  In another New Mexico community far to the south of Albuquerque near 
the Texas border is a medium-sized town, Las Cruces, that has embraced 
Character Counts in both its private and public schools, and within the 
community itself.
  As an example, the Las Cruces University Hills Elementary School 
sends parents regularly scheduled communications and newsletters 
explaining new Character Counts initiatives. Each month the school 
focuses on one of the six pillars with a school-wide assembly to kick 
off each new pillar. Teachers include the words in lessons throughout 
the school day, each day of the month. The students are urged to 
discuss their experiences and how the concepts relate to their daily 
lives. The school's monthly newsletters report how students identify 
with the various pillars.
  I believe the children's own words best express how they apply the 
Character Counts concepts to their daily lives:
  ``Citizenship is caring about our country and other people * * * Make 
the community a better place by cleaning the environment and taking 
care of it. Take care of nature, animals, plants, and land. Be a nice 
neighbor.''
  Jammal: ``In our group respect means treating one another equally, 
even if they are not good looking, handicapped, or if they're slow. 
Showing respect means not being bossy and treating people fairly. I 
respect people for what they are, and all their different abilities. 
When I show respect, I am kind and polite to people. My way of showing 
respect is by manners and helping others.''
  Brenna, Karina, Christopher, Spencer and Shoji: ``If you want to be a 
respectful person, then it's a good time to start knowing about respect 
and be one to the end. Be polite and the world will be safe once again. 
If you respect others, respect is what you will get back.''
  Tyrel: Sometimes we forget that each and every day there are ways of 
practicing good character traits. Parents, teachers, civic and business 
organizations, and community leaders are responding with enthusiasm to 
this fairly simple program of teaching and practicing the tenets of 
good character.
  Creative community programs are developed so the messages are not 
confined to the classrooms but are shared by all citizens. In 
Albuquerque, a new program Character Counts in the Workplace is 
designed to apply the Six Pillars to workplace ethics. In Lea County, 
the Character Counts Board of Directors meets monthly to coordinate 
activities, with each community independently expanding its Character 
Counts message through its local festivities, service clubs, and 
schools. In Roswell, the Future Homemakers of America of Sierra Middle 
School, using the lessons learned about caring, assisted students at 
Valley View Elementary School with holiday crafts projects.
  In April, the State of New Mexico will host the National Character 
Counts Conference, followed by 2 days of its own State Conference. Just 
a quick review of a few of the planned meetings at the New Mexico 
Conference tells us of the variety of programs being developed 
throughout the State: the Police Role in Community Character Counts 
Programs; Join-A-School Projects--What to Do; Character Counts in the 
Workplace; At-Risk Youth and Character Counts; School and Community 
Youth Athletics; and Parenting for Character Development. These 
sessions clearly show how broadly-based the Character Counts activities 
have become throughout the State.
  When we first introduced the National Character Counts Week 
resolution in 1994, I doubt we could have envisioned how quickly 
parents, teachers, schools, towns, cities, and civic organizations 
would develop programs to address the issue of character building. It 
has universal appeal, and it has touched the lives of millions of our 
citizens. The ``crisis in character'' is being addressed by America's 
citizens, at the local level, where it matters most. I am very proud to 
be a part of this effort. Practicing the principles of good character 
pays enormous dividends not only to each of us personally but to 
countless generations in the future.
  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator from 
New Mexico, Senator Domenici, my personal friend and dear colleague, 
for his character and especially his courage in putting forward this 
resolution and in taking the leadership in making sure that this 
resolution is enacted. I am honored to be a cosponsor of the National 
Character Council Week resolution.
  Mr. President, the stories and statistics are painfully familiar; we 
have all

[[Page S775]]

heard them--children having children, young boys joining gangs out of a 
need to belong, children as young as 9 years old smoking marijuana or 
shooting up heroin or inhaling freon from the living room air 
conditioner just to find a high.
  Now the latest figures are in from the Department of Justice: 25,000 
juveniles murdered between 1985 and 1995. Half of all high school 
students who carry a weapon take that weapon to school. Juvenile 
arrestees are now more likely, according to the Department of Justice, 
than adult arrestees to have used a gun in committing a crime.
  James Agee once said, ``In every child who is born, under no matter 
what circumstances * * *  the potentiality of the human race is born 
again.''
  Mr. President, how many times have we heard that our children are the 
future of our country? I believe that our highest obligation is, and 
our biggest challenge is, with the children of America. We can work 
together to help ensure that all children will start school ready to 
learn. We can pool our efforts--parents, teachers, community leaders, 
and elected officials--to enable our students to be first in the world 
of scientific and academic achievement. But I believe the greatest gift 
and most effective tool we can give to our children is to instill in 
them, from the beginning, the values and beliefs which mold their 
character. Character is the essential building block in each 
youngster's journey to become a responsible, moral adult.
  George Matthew Adams once said:

       There is no such thing as a ``self-made'' man. We are made 
     up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind 
     deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has 
     entered into the makeup of our character, and of our 
     thoughts, as well as our success.

  Robert Kennedy credited his father with shaping his beliefs about 
what the definition of true character is. He said:

       He has called on the best that was in us. There was no such 
     thing as half-trying. Whether it was running a race or 
     catching a football, or competing in school, we were to try. 
     We might not be the best, and none of us were, but we were to 
     make the best effort to be the best.

  For Ronald Reagan, it was his mother, Nelle, who was his source of 
inspiration. He said about his mother:

       My mother, God rest her soul, had an unshakable faith in 
     God's goodness. And while I may not have realized it in my 
     youth, I know now that she planted that faith very deeply in 
     me.

  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. It 
calls on our citizens and communities to teach and promote the core 
elements of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, 
fairness, caring and citizenship.
  Decades ago, during the war in Korea, one of our generals was 
captured by the Communists. He was taken to an isolated prison camp and 
told that he had but a few minutes to write a letter to his family. The 
implication was that he was to be executed shortly. The general's 
letter was brief and to the point: ``Tell Bill,'' he wrote, ``the word 
is integrity.''
  The word is indeed integrity, Mr. President. As our resolution 
states, ``the character of a nation is only as strong as the character 
of its individual citizens.'' If this is so, Mr. President--and I hope 
it is and I think it will be--the future of this country will be in 
very good hands.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I am pleased this morning to join with the 
distinguished Senator from New Mexico and a group of my colleagues in 
cosponsoring this Senate Resolution designating October 18th through 
24th as National Character Counts Week.
  Nothing that we do in this country will have a more direct impact on 
our collective future than how we educate our children. And as the face 
of our society changes, and children are faced with modern problems 
like illegal drug use and violence, we should look at ways to expand 
our traditional definition of education. We must recognize that 
education should be more than the transmission off acts. It ought to be 
more than the relaying of concepts. Education should also seek to 
develop the moral character of our children. Schools need to reinforce 
the lessons that children are taught at home. Education must help teach 
young people what they need to know to be good citizens in our society. 
Strengthening the mind is not enough. We must also nurture the 
character.
  That is why so many of us in the Senate come to the Floor each year 
to speak in support of character education in our schools. We believe 
that it is entirely appropriate for schools to instruct students on the 
importance of qualities like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, 
fairness, caring, and citizenship. This is not a substitute for 
disciplined instruction in reading, math, composition, and other 
subjects. This is simply an effort to instill in our young people the 
values that we cherish in a civil society.
  I have been working on character education issues for about 5 years 
now, and all of my experiences with this initiative have reinforced my 
belief that this is a good idea that can have a positive impact in the 
lives of our children. In 1994, I Introduced a character education 
amendment to the elementary and secondary education bill when it was 
being considered by the Labor Committee. This amendment was adopted, 
and it provided funding for schools to start character education 
curriculums.
  Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of visiting schools 
in Connecticut that have received some of these funds and begun 
teaching character education. In each and every classroom, I have seen 
the positive impact that these programs are having in our children's 
lives. Children, as well as teachers and parents, are responding 
enthusiastically to these lessons, and the result has been better 
attendance, higher academic performance, and improved behavior among 
our students. Character education may be a relatively new initiative, 
but these programs are already reaching 100,000 students in the State 
of Connecticut alone. And character education is not only making a 
difference in my home State, but all over the country as many of my 
colleagues can confirm.
  Theodore Roosevelt once said, ``To educate a person's mind and not 
his character is to educate a menace.'' It is imperative that we build 
a society whose institutions will help support a strong ethical 
upbringing for our children, and character education should be a 
critical component of our efforts to reach that goal.
  Again, I commend my friend and colleague from New Mexico for all of 
his work in this area. And I invite all my colleagues from both sides 
of the aisle to join us in supporting National Character Counts week 
and embracing character education as a vital means of molding better 
individual, strengthening families and creating a responsible American 
citizenry.
  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am proud to join Senator Domenici in 
sponsoring the 1998 Character Counts Week resolution. As an original 
member of the Character Counts Coalition here in the United States 
Senate, it has been my honor to cosponsor Character Counts Week every 
year since 1994.
  In the past we learned the Golden Rule and were taught how to act by 
our parents and teachers or at Sunday School, and the community helped 
reinforce acceptable conduct. Today, because there are so many who 
don't have a chance to grow up in that kind of environment, we must 
develop alternative ways of teaching and learning how to behave in a 
free society.
  Former United States Deputy Under Secretary of Education, Dr. Peter 
R. Greer, wrote an article, called ``Teaching Virtue,'' published in 
Education Week, February 4, 1998. In his article, he describes his 
experiences in developing effective curriculum for teaching ethics and 
character in kindergarten through grade twelve. He found that one of 
the most troublesome aspects for teachers to overcome was their 
reluctance to identify right and wrong. He also found that teaching 
virtues had to be a school-wide and a community-wide commitment.
  The Character Counts! Coalition began as an effort to put values 
education at the top of the national agenda. The values are called 
``Pillars of Character,'' and they are: trustworthiness, respect, 
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
  The core elements of good character reflect a consensus that was 
reached by eminent and diverse educators and youth leaders who thought 
the pillars would be widely understood, accepted and effective.

[[Page S776]]

  The Coalition is made up of over 180-member organizations who 
collectively pursue the goal of teaching that character does count and 
is essential for our nation's survival and success. Included in this 
group are the American Association of School Administrators, American 
Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Little League Baseball, 4-
H, National Honor Society and many regional and community-based 
organizations. They are all working to build awareness of the pillars 
of character and to encourage their teaching ``from the family room to 
the school room to the locker room.''
  In my state of Mississippi, Ocean Springs is a Character Counts 
Community. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors programs that stress the 
importance of making good character traits an intrinsic part of the 
lives of students, teachers, administrators, and citizens.
  The Ocean Springs Character Counts Business Club members display 
Character Counts stickers in their windows and help raise funds for the 
Chamber of Commerce. Each year, those funds are used for programs and 
materials to train teachers in the Ocean Springs public schools on 
better ways to incorporate character education into their regular 
curriculum.
  The programs are designed for repetition and emphasize action and 
behavior. Youngsters are encouraged to express their thoughts about 
character through essays, poems, songs, artwork, posters or videos.
  I am very proud of the people of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. They 
understand that teaching good character begins at home, but it must be 
reinforced at school and by the entire community.
  Character Counts! Week is October 18-24 this year. I hope that 
communities will use this as a time for new and renewed commitments to 
character education.
  If we all practiced what Character Counts teaches, America would be 
better indeed.
  Ms. MIKULSKY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 
resolution submitted by my colleague Senator Domenici to designate 
October 18 through October 24, 1998 as ``National Character Counts 
Week.''
  I have cosponsored this resolution for the past four years and I am 
honored to do so again this year.
  Character is an increasingly important issue in our society. I 
believe character counts. It counts in our homes, our schools, and our 
neighborhoods.
  I believe character is the foundation of our society and will 
continue to be into the next century. I have been concerned that we 
have gone from being a progressive society to being a permissive 
society.
  Character shapes how we behave in our families, in our own 
communities, and in our own workplaces.
  Character education helps our children grow into responsible and 
caring adults. But character must be taught. It is our responsibility 
to teach character to children.
  In this day and age of juvenile crime, particularly crime in schools, 
a renewed commitment to character education is even more important for 
our society.
  Character development should be taught along with other core academic 
subjects. The state of Maryland has encourage the inclusion of 
character education in schools. I support this approach.
  There are six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, 
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. These are values 
that last a lifetime.
  Our country was built on the foundation of virtue and value. These 
are the ties that bind and the habits of the heart. Character 
encourages self-respect and the respect of others.
  I believe in supporting character education as much as possible. In 
making sure that character counts, we will create the habits of the 
mind and the habits of the heart that will be the social glue that will 
hold our society together.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution. I believe 
in support for character education. It is even more crucial as we enter 
the next century.
  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong 
support for the National Character Counts week resolutions submitted by 
my esteemed colleague, Senator Domenici. I have cosponsored similar 
resolutions for the past 4 years and am honored to have the opportunity 
to do so again this year.
  I stand before you today, because children and adults alike are 
constantly being bombarded by violence, profanity, and immorality, both 
through the media and in every day life. This onslaught of negative 
images and expressions has expanded the issue of character from a 
casual concern to a matter of considerable social importance. During my 
tenure in the Senate it has been my goal, and the goal of many of my 
colleagues, to raise awareness of the importance of raising our younger 
generations in an atmosphere of strong principles. I can think of few 
things we could do to better achieve this goal than to bring the 
attributes of good character to a level that will be admired by our 
children. If, through our own actions, we demonstrate the value, and 
indeed the necessity, of good character, we may help turn future 
generations away from the all too often glamorized visions of 
unscrupulous activities.
  As a father, I am concerned that the role models our nation's 
children seek for leadership and guidance do not exemplify the 
integrity and character that most parents would condone. As an elected 
leader, I believe it is my job, and the obligation of my colleagues, to 
take an initial step to reinvigorate the attributes of character--
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, justice and fairness, caring, 
civic virtue, and citizenship--which National Character Counts Week 
highlights. We need to regain these qualities in our communities, in 
our families, and in the development of our own lives.
  Mr. President, as we watch our children blossom into the leaders of 
the future it is my hope that each and every one of them will be able 
to look up to individuals who epitomize the values and attributes that 
are represented by National Character Counts Week. I am proud to stand 
with my fellow colleagues today, to discuss the importance of having 
genuine character. The simple step of raising awareness of the value of 
good character can have a powerful and long lasting impact. In the 
words of President Ronald Reagan, ``They say the world has become far 
too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy 
answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do 
what we know is morally right.''
  Mr. President, I believe by standing before you today, the supporters 
of National Character Counts Week are taking the initial step in 
accomplishing what is morally right. We are, however, only a single 
piece in the puzzle. My colleagues and I, along with civic 
organizations around the Nation, are only emissaries of a message. The 
true fundamental values that will instill character in our children 
must begin at home. No amount of moral instruction from outside the 
home can replace the guidance of a loving and supportive family.
  Recognizing a national week to stress the importance of character is 
but a small step in addressing the crisis of ethics the Nation faces. 
At the same time, it is an important step which I believe all of us 
should support. I would like to thank Senator Domenici for his 
continued leadership on National Character Counts Week, and urge my 
colleagues to cosponsor the resolution.

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