[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1460-E1461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MORAL VALUES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington 
Report for Wednesday, July 29, 1998 into the Congressional Record.

                              Moral Values

       I've often been impressed in talking with Hoosiers about 
     the concern that many of them have that the state of moral 
     values in the country is weak. With all of the tough issues 
     of the day, like the problems of campaign finance or how to 
     maintain solid economic growth in the economy, the moral 
     concern of Hoosiers comes through repeatedly. They worry 
     about moral decline and about the character and values 
     exhibited by Americans today.
       More generally, the polls show that by substantial 
     majorities the public believes that the United States is in a 
     long-term moral decline. They see behavior that weakens 
     family life, widespread disrespect for authority, an 
     inclination towards self-indulgence and a lessening of 
     personal responsibility. They see a lot of behavior around 
     them they do not approve of: A professional athlete spits on 
     an umpire or abuses women, a movie star says she wants a baby 
     but not a husband, and a politician makes a lot of money on a 
     book deal from a personal scandal. They do not like to see 
     children being mistreated or ignored, marriages 
     disintegrating, high levels of violence and drug use, 
     deteriorating educational systems, less emphasis on 
     responsibility and accountability, increasing coarseness and 
     incivility in popular culture and politics, too much emphasis 
     on making money, not enough concern about the distinction 
     between right and wrong, less concern with the truth.
       I think most Hoosiers understand too that there is only so 
     much government can do to improve the moral culture of the 
     country. Certainly government actions can make it either 
     harder or easier for families to prosper, or for children to 
     get a good education, for example. Government can punish 
     actions which threaten the social order. It can fund programs 
     to fight drugs and crime, pass laws against discrimination 
     and pornography, and hold congressional hearings to spotlight 
     moral issues. Public officials can be positive or negative 
     role models. But government's power to foster attitudes like 
     civility and respect is limited.
       Fortunately there are many institutions which strengthen 
     our society and build character and citizenship. It is not 
     surprising then that the country is becoming more concerned 
     about civil society--that is, the relationships and 
     institutions that are not controlled by the government but 
     are essential, like families, neighborhoods, and the web of 
     religious, economic, educational and civic associations that 
     foster character in individuals and help children become good 
     people and good citizens.
       By all odds, the most important is the family, where 
     children first learn or fail to learn the simple virtues: 
     honesty trust, loyalty, cooperation, self-restraint, 
     civility, compassion, personal responsibility, and respect 
     for others.
       Religion is very important in the lives of most Americans, 
     and our churches foster the values that are essential to good 
     quality of life in America. They emphasize personal 
     responsibility, respect for moral law, and concern for 
     others. They remind us of the timeless and transcendent 
     virtues toward which we all must strive.
       A large number of voluntary civic organizations help define 
     our country and help us achieve social goals. All of us know 
     the importance that civic organizations like Little League, 
     the Chamber of Commerce, service clubs, the Future Farmers of 
     America, Boy and Girl Scouts, and hundreds of others play in 
     improving our lives. People want to be able to play in the 
     parks, go to the library, learn from and help each other, and 
     participate in all sorts of activities and relationships that 
     make life meaningful.
       In every community there are people who push for greater 
     exposure to music, poetry, literature, and the other arts. 
     The arts strengthen our communities by affirming important, 
     core values: creativity, sensitivity, integrity of 
     expression, craftsmanship.
       Schools, of course, are crucial. They shape the lives of 
     students and at their best require basic standards of good 
     conduct: responsibility, respect for teachers' authority, 
     respect for other students. They pass on the culture of the 
     country and the responsibilities of citizenship, thereby 
     sustaining our democratic values.
       Business enterprises of all kinds and descriptions are 
     increasingly playing a prominent role in our civil society, 
     quite apart from their critical economic role. Labor and 
     management both have a role to play in ensuring honest value 
     in return for fair reward, in promoting ethnical business 
     practices and in enforcing standards of conduct in the 
     workplace. Businesses also can provide vital support for all 
     sorts of community efforts.
       One institution demands special mention because of its size 
     and influence, but also because it is widely criticized as 
     undermining civic life, and that is the media. Often I hear 
     that the media--including movies, video games, Internet 
     sites, and television--are hostile to the values that parents 
     want for their children.
       These and other institutions are in no small measure 
     responsible for the country's success. The concern is that 
     many of them are eroding.
       I frequently ask Hoosier audiences what the United States 
     is all about. One theme that comes through is that this is a 
     country that should permit every person the opportunity to 
     become the best they can become. Civil society helps advance 
     that goal. The purpose of government and the other 
     institutions of our society is to help foster the conditions 
     to permit individuals to achieve their

[[Page E1461]]

     highest potential, to flourish and to prosper, and live 
     positive and constructive lives.
       So a primary challenge in the country today is neither 
     governmental nor economic, but moral. It is to strengthen our 
     families, improve our communities, permit our religious 
     institutions to flourish, encourage voluntary civic 
     organizations, support the arts, and place great emphasis on 
     education, including character education programs. We must 
     ensure that business, labor, and other community leaders 
     understand their role in providing for the overall health of 
     society, and encourage the media to be mindful of the effects 
     of inappropriate violent and sexual content on young people.
       The Founding Fathers were not afraid to speak of virtue and 
     the role that individuals must play for a democratic society 
     to flourish. The essential product in the foundation of a 
     democratic nation is good and responsible people.

     

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