[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S10463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 78--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
     REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Bennett, Mrs. 
Murray, Mr. Bond, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
Bunning, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Burns, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Kohl, 
Mr. Cochran, Mr. Conrad, Ms. Collins, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. DeWine, Mrs. 
Carnahan, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Biden, Mr. Fitzgerald, 
Mr. Edwards, Mr. Frist, Mr. Reid, Mr. Hagel, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Helms, 
Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Johnson, 
Mr. Shelby, Mr. Levin, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Feingold, Mr. 
Stevens, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thurmond, and Mr. Voinovich) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution, which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.

                            S. Con. Res. 78

       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;
       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 Senate (the House of Representatives 
     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.

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