[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 125 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5934-H5936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL
CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 204) expressing the sense of
Congress regarding the establishment of National Character Counts Week.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 204
Whereas the well-being of the Nation requires that the
young people of the United States become an involved, caring
citizenry with good character;
Whereas the character education of children has become more
urgent as violence by and against youth increasingly
threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the
people of the United States;
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 the positive
effects that good character can have in personal
relationships, in school, and in the workplace;
Whereas scholars and educators agree that people do not
automatically develop good character and that, 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;
[[Page H5935]]
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 an important role in fostering and
promoting good character;
Whereas Congress encourages students, teachers, parents,
youth, and community leaders to recognize the importance of
character education in preparing young people to play their
role in determining the future of the Nation;
Whereas effective character education is based on core
ethical values which form the foundation of democratic
society;
Whereas examples of character are trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
Whereas elements of character transcend cultural,
religious, and socioeconomic differences;
Whereas the character and conduct of our youth reflect the
character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has
the responsibility to teach and model ethical values and
every social institution has the responsibility to promote
the development of good character;
Whereas Congress encourages individuals and organizations,
especially those who have an interest in the education and
training of the young people of the United States, to adopt
the elements of character as intrinsic to the well-being of
individuals, communities, and society;
Whereas many schools in the United States recognize the
need, and have taken steps, to integrate the values of their
communities into their teaching activities;
Whereas the establishment of National Character Counts
Week, during which individuals, families, schools, youth
organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and
other organizations would focus on character education, would
be of great benefit to the Nation; and
Whereas the week beginning October 15, 2001, and the week
beginning October 14, 2002, are appropriate weeks to
establish as National Character Counts Week: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
(1) a National Character Counts Week should be established
to promote character education; and
(2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon
the people of the United States to--
(A) embrace the elements of character identified by their
local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and
honesty; and
(B) observe such a week with appropriate ceremonies,
programs, and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Fletcher) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Fletcher).
General Leave
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on the concurrent resolution now under consideration, H. Con.
Res. 204.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 204,
expressing the sense of Congress regarding the establishment of
National Character Counts Week and would like to thank the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for
introducing this resolution and in their efforts regarding character
education.
With the growing concern for the safety of students and teachers,
many have looked to character education in the schools as a solution.
Making appropriate and good choices in life relies upon strong
character, yet some children do not get much guidance or support for
character development. Supporting the ethical, social and emotional
development of children will help to create better schools and a more
compassionate and responsible society.
In the past, those who have helped parents reinforce the values of
their children, neighbors, coaches, teachers, guidance counselors, and
many others would not necessarily have recognized their role as a
character educator. It was just something that friends and family did
to foster a sense of community among its youngest members.
Unfortunately, in an increasingly transient society, where both parents
often work, this traditional model has been abandoned. As a result, it
now seems that some children lack the basic values that would not only
help them avoid such things as unwanted pregnancies, drugs, school
violence, and alcohol problems, but also teach them the importance of
being respectful and honest.
Today, every teacher and every student can articulate the
consequences of this neglect. The recent rash of school shootings is
one example, but so is the low voter turnout among young people and
their lack of involvement in community organizations. As a result, many
Americans are looking to character education as one possible solution
to the problems that plague our classrooms and our communities.
Research indicates that character education can help improve behavior
as well as academic achievement.
A University of Illinois study of four schools using the ``Positive
Action'' character development program found that the average number of
incidents requiring disciplinary referral dropped by 74 percent after
one year, and achievement scores improved by an average of 28
percentage points.
Standardized test scores of students exposed to the ``Responsive
Classroom'' program, which emphasizes good character, increased 22
percent on average, versus just three percent for students not
participating in the program.
A 1997 study demonstrated that students trained in ``Second Step,'' a
character-based violence prevention program, used less physical
aggression and engaged in more pro-social interactions than peers who
were not exposed to the character curriculum.
I applaud the efforts of President Bush to improve the academic
achievement of our Nation's youth and his plan or improving our
students' character. As Governor Bush noted in 1999, yes, we want our
children to be smart and successful, but even more, we want them to be
good and kind and decent. Yes, our children must learn how to make a
living, but even more, they must learn how to live and what to love.
``Intelligence is not enough,'' said Martin Luther King, Jr.
``Intelligence plus character, that is a true goal of education.''
To continue the President's focus on character education, this
resolution expresses the sense of Congress regarding the establishment
of National Character Counts Week. This resolution is simple and
straightforward. It expresses the sense of Congress that a National
Character Counts Week should be established to promote character
education; and, two, the President should issue a proclamation calling
upon the people of the United States to embrace the elements of
character identified by their local schools and communities, such as
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring,
citizenship, and honesty; and observe such a week with appropriate
ceremonies, programs, and activities.
I urge all my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 204.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Smith) and the many other bipartisan cosponsors of House Concurrent
Resolution 204 in urging our Members to support this important
resolution today.
Character education can play a vital role in shaping the lives and
values of our children. However, character education is not a
substitute for good parenting or meant to take the place of good
parenting. It is simply another tool our communities and schools can
use to facilitate the development of a young person's moral character.
Many schools in the Los Angeles County area have recently taken up
the cause of character education. Schools in my district are placing
new emphasis on teaching young people about respect, responsibility,
caring, citizenship and honesty.
Recent incidents remind us about the need for character education
among our young people. Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, in my own
community, in the City of San Gabriel, a shopkeeper who had been a
store owner there for over 20 years and a pillar of the community was
shot to death at 3 p.m. in the afternoon by some young individuals.
People have attacked and harassed individuals who look to be
different or speak a different language or share a different religion.
Young women in my district attending a local community
[[Page H5936]]
college were recently harassed because they attended college wearing a
Muslim scarf of over their head.
And even before the tragedies of September 11, the City of Azusa,
also in my congressional district, has been home to many hate crimes,
Latinos and African American youth attacking each other.
This has gone on for too long. I hope that further emphasis on
responsibility, good citizenship, tolerance, and understanding will
help to stem the tide of hate crimes in this country.
House Concurrent Resolution 204 expresses the sense of Congress that
a National Character Counts Week should be established and that the
President should issue a proclamation on the topic of character
education. The establishment of a National Character Counts Week will
provide families, parents, children, students, community-based
organizations, and civic groups the ability to focus on character
education and its many benefits.
In closing, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) for
his leadership on this issue and urge the Members to support this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of Texas. First, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman
from Kentucky (Mr. Fletcher) for yielding me this time, and I also want
to thank him for his help in passing this resolution, which I
introduced last July.
Mr. Speaker, a good definition of character is summed up in the old
saying ``Character is what you do when no one is looking.''
{time} 1415
Men and women of character are guided by standards of right and
wrong. They do not look to others for approval or bend to peer
pressure.
National polls indicate that moral concerns and family decline are
some of the most important problems facing the country today. Too many
of our children grow up in a culture that acknowledges no right or
wrong.
Americans are concerned about the quality of their children's
education. They are also troubled about the decline in our Nation's
values and its effect on our children. Although parents should be the
primary developers of character, educators play an increasingly
important role. Communities across the Nation recognize that character
education is an integral part of a well-rounded curriculum.
Our Nation's teachers are aware that character education can
establish standards for behavior.
President Bush has made character education an important component of
his education reform bill. By allocating funds to character education,
States, local education agencies, parents, and students will have an
opportunity to promote character and values. This resolution will
encourage schools to embrace character education. It designates the
third week of October of this year and 2002 as ``National Character
Counts Week.''
I hope children across the Nation will participate in character-
building activities in their schools. It is imperative that we teach
our children the values that strengthen their character and make our
country strong. To reap the rewards of a virtuous society, we must
first sow the seeds of character when we educate our children.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just reiterate that this is a
good bill and ask my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me just close before I yield back the remainder of
my time.
In light of the recent events, it seems even more appropriate to
quote Dr. Martin Luther King. Let me read his quote. ``The function of
education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think
critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the
greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man
gifted with reason and no morals. We must remember that intelligence is
not enough. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true
education.''
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Resolution, House
Concurrent Resolution 204, legislation establishing a national
``Character Counts Week'' sponsored by my friend from Texas, Mr. Lamar
Smith.
Today, the vast majority of Americans share a respect for fundamental
traits of character, honesty, compassion, justice, courage, and
perseverance. Yet, in today's world, all children face great
uncertainties in a complex and sometimes troubled society.
Positive character traits are not always readily apparent and easy
for them to grasp or learn. When children are young, it can be
difficult to decipher between what is right and what is wrong.
Therefore, our challenge is to provide youths with the self-esteem,
stamina, and support they need to survive, be successful, and develop
into strong, competent, caring, and responsible citizens.
This resolution encourages the establishment of a ``Character
Counts'' week, geared towards educators, students and communities to
become more involved in the development of positive character traits.
Life consists of a series of choices. Every choice you make helps to
define the kind of person you choose to be. Good character requires
doing the right thing even when it is costly, risky, or when no one is
looking. With all the pressures youths face today, how can we, as
lawmakers, encourage our children to do the right thing, while so many
elements in our culture say the complete opposite?
That is why it is so important for Congress to pass this resolution.
Character education is about celebrating what is right with young
people while encouraging and enabling them to develop knowledge and
life skills for enhancing ethical and responsible behavior. I urge my
colleagues to join with me in support of this measure.
Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, ``character.''
Webster's New World Dictionary, Third college Edition defines
``character`` as ``moral strength, self-discipline, fortitude.''
The pillars which guide ethical decision-making, which make up
character are: Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
caring, citizenship.
Trustworthiness includes morality, honesty, truthfulness, sincerity,
candor, loyalty and integrity.
Respect includes civility, courtesy and decency.
Being responsible means being in charge of our choices and, thus, our
lives. It means being accountable for what we do and who we are.
Fairness involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality
and openness.
Caring is ultimately about our responsibilities toward other people.
A person who really cares feels an emotional response to both the pain
and pleasure of others.
The concept of citizenship includes civic virtues and duties that
prescribe how we ought to behave as part of a community. The good
citizen gives more than he or she takes.
As leaders of this great nation, especially at this time, we must be
examples of strong, moral unblemished character and encourage the young
people of this nation to replicate these attributes in all their ways
and conduct.
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the remainder of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Fletcher) that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H.
Con. Res. 204.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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