[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1616-E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CHARACTER COUNTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 1999

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Congressman Ernie Fletcher 
introduced an amendment, which allows teacher training funds to be used 
for character education training, to the Teacher Empowerment Act. It 
was adopted with my strong support.

[[Page E1617]]

  In the mid-1980s I served as the Republican Staff Director of the 
House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families. I visited 
numerous creative character education programs across this nation 
including in St. Louis, Miami and Baltimore.
  Each school system had involved the local community in the 
development of their program. Each was having a positive impact on the 
students in their schools. And, importantly, each program was done 
differently. It is important that we continue to encourage such 
creative flexibility.
  Currently, there are a number of character education efforts in my 
district in northeastern Indiana. One of the best is a program called 
``Character Counts'' which I have discussed with Garrett-Keyser-Butler 
Community School system superintendent Alan Middleton, as well as 
others in the Garrett system.
  We need to encourage efforts to implement such programs. By 
allowing--leaving it up to the school districts themselves but 
allowing--teacher training to include character education training is 
an important advance for character education. Congressman Fletcher's 
amendment made it clear that funds can be used for such training.
  What follows is some basic information from the Garrett community 
school system's ``Character Counts'' program, which gives some idea of 
the approach of one character education initiative. It is important to 
note the emphasis on community participation as well as the specific 
themes that are stressed.

       What? The Character Counts! Coalition is a national 
     partnership of organizations and individuals involved in the 
     education, training and care of youth. They have joined in a 
     collaborative effort to improve the character of America's 
     young people based on six basic standards of character.
       Six pillars of character: Trustworthiness, responsibility, 
     respect, fairness, caring, citizenship.
       The Garrett-Keyser-Butler School Corporation this last year 
     became a member of the national CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition. 
     The program's development was based on a 1992 summit meeting 
     of educators, youth leaders, religious leaders and ethicists 
     who worked together to identify those basic characteristics 
     that they could all agree on as being essential to the 
     development of good character. These became known as the Six 
     Pillars of Character.
       The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition hopes to combat violence, 
     irresponsibility and dishonesty while strengthening the 
     character of the next generation. The program is not 
     associated with any particular religion or ideological agenda 
     other than that of promoting good character through ethical 
     decision making.
       The membership list includes many well respected national 
     organizations such as American Red Cross, the United Way of 
     America, USA Police Activities League, Big Brothers/Big 
     Sisters of America, 4-H, Little League Baseball, YMCA of the 
     USA, the National Association of State Boards of Education 
     and National Association of Secondary School Principals to 
     mention a few.
       We at the GKB School Corporation have made a commitment to 
     work through the CHARACTER COUNTS! program in an effort to 
     improve the character of our young people.
       We believe that CHARACTER COUNTS! in personal 
     relationships, in school, at the workplace, and in life. Who 
     you are makes a difference!
       Mission Statement: The Garrett-Keyser-Butler School Corp., 
     is committed to the development of a program which unites the 
     whole community in promoting trustworthiness, respect, 
     responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. We believe 
     these ethical traits are essential for the success of young 
     people in all areas of their life--in school, work, and 
     personal relationships.
       The Coalition is comprised of about 100 national and 
     regional organizations that together reach more than 40 
     million young people.
       Coalition includes: YMCA, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, 4-H, BIG 
     BROTHERS/SISTERS, ATSO, LITTLE LEAGUE, RED CROSS, BOYS TOWN, 
     NAT'L ASS'N OF POLICE, ATHLETIC LEAGUES, U.S. SOCCER ASSN., 
     AFT, NEA, NAT'L ASS'N OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, NAT'L 
     ASS'N OF STATE BOARDS OF EDUCATION, NAT'L ASS'N OF STUDENT 
     COUNCILS, NAT'L CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASS'N, AARP, LA RAZA, 
     INTERNATIONAL ASS'N OF POLICE CHIEFS, NAT'L URBAN LEAGUE AND 
     UNITED WAY.

     

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