[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10751-S10753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 598--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 15, 2006, 
                 AS ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''

  Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. 
Akaka, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Talent, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Criag, 
Mr. Kerry, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Alexander, Mr. 
Rockefeller, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Levin, Mr. Allen, Mr. Durbin, 
Mr. Biden, Mr. Voinovich, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Dole, and Mr. Enzi) 
submitted the following resolution, which was:

                              S. Res. 598

       Whereas the well-being of the United States 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 a role 
     in determining the future of the United States;
       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, and, 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; and

[[Page S10752]]

       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 United States: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning October 15, 2006, as 
     ``National Character Counts Week''; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States and 
     interested groups--
       (A) to embrace the elements of character identified by 
     local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness, 
     respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship; 
     and
       (B) to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies, 
     programs, and activities.

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today with my good friend Senator 
Dodd to submit a resolution designating the week of October 15 through 
the 21 as the 2006 National Character Counts Week.
  Our character is the foundation of who we are as people and how we 
are perceived by the world. Everyday our character and ethics are 
tested through the decisions we make and the behavior we exhibit. The 
National Character Counts program focuses on ``Six Pillars of 
Character'' which are promoted through school and community based 
character education programs across the country. The six pillars are: 
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and 
citizenship.
  I have supported Character Counts throughout the years because I 
believe this program reaches out to all youth and adults, as the 
Character Counts Coalition states, no matter the individual's race, 
creed, politics, gender, and wealth. In my home state of New Mexico, we 
have run many successful Character Counts programs throughout the 
years. While many schools initiate Character Counts programs there are 
also many other organizations that develop character based programming. 
I would like to take the time to recognize some of the successful 
programming we have had in New Mexico for 2006.
  Mesa Elementary School in Clovis, NM is the definition of a school 
that embraces character education programming. Everyday school begins 
with a Character Song and Pledge and every month they organize a 
Character Counts assembly to recognize and reflect upon the ``Six 
Pillars of Character.'' In Gallup, the Gallup High School National 
Honor Society is distributing Character Counts posters to all faculty 
and staff and volunteering for a Youth Leadership Weekend. In Las 
Cruces, the City of Las Cruces Recreation Section organized the K-8th 
basketball leagues to participate in sportsmanship games and the 
halftime show will spotlight Pursuing Victory with Honor. Lastly, the 
New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility is gearing up to commence a 
Character Counts based series in their new character education 
programming. All of these organizations and schools as well as the many 
others not mentioned here, are to be commended for their hard work in 
developing these programs and spreading the message that character 
truly does count.
  During the week of October 15, I hope everyone takes the time to 
participate in a Character Counts event in their local area. I know in 
New Mexico we will be having some special celebrations. On October 16 
in Carlsbad, New Mexico there will be the 10th Anniversary Character 
Counts Celebration including a student-designed Character Counts 
billboard unveiling at a celebratory dinner; October 17, the Las Cruces 
Public Schools will have ``Go for the Gold'' Character Counts awards; 
October 19, the Albuquerque Public Schools will have a Character Counts 
annual awards breakfast, and Chavez County will have a Character Counts 
Celebration Night; and on October 20, the YMCA of Central New Mexico 
will have a Youth Achiever Awards ceremony.
  I believe this program is making a difference in my home state and 
across the country. I want to encourage more people to become involved 
with the Character Counts program, but most of all I hope individuals 
will take the time to reflect on what the ``Six Pillars of Character'' 
mean to them.
  I hope all of my colleagues will support this effort.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today Senator Domenici and I are submitting 
a resolution designating the third week of October as ``National 
Character Counts Week.'' I have worked for many years on the issue of 
character education and hope that by designating a special week to this 
cause, students and teachers will come together to participate in 
character building activities in their schools not only this week but 
all year long.
  In 1994, Senator Domenici and I first established the Partnerships in 
Character Education Pilot Project and have worked regularly since then 
to commemorate National Character Counts Week. Character education is 
about celebrating what's right with young people while enabling them to 
develop the knowledge and life skills necessary in order to embrace 
ethical and responsible behavior. I am pleased that we are continuing 
our efforts today to help expand States' and schools' abilities to make 
character education a central part of every child's education.
  Our schools may figuratively be built with the bricks of English, 
math and science, but character education certainly provides the 
mortar. Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and 
citizenship are the six pillars of character. The standards of conduct 
that arise out of those values constitute the foundation of ethics, and 
therefore of ethical decision-making.
  Character education looks like young people learning, growing, and 
becoming. It feels like strength, courage, possibility, and hope. 
Character education provides students a context within which to learn. 
If we view education simply as the imparting of knowledge to our 
children, then we will not only miss an opportunity, but will 
jeopardize our future.
  Currently, there are character education programs across all 50 
states in rural, urban and suburban areas at every grade level. I'd 
like to take a moment to tell you about two programs in my home state 
of Connecticut.
  At Jared Eliot Middle School in Clinton, CT, creating safe, welcoming 
schools where character matters is a high priority. Pillars showcasing 
the principles of high character greet everyone who enters the building 
and are a vivid reminder of the values embraced by the school 
community. This schoolwide effort is felt and lived by all who work and 
learn there.
  Also, Old Saybrook Middle School, a recognized middle school of the 
year, is stellar in large part because of the ongoing schoolwide 
initiative to focus on efforts to create a school climate that 
celebrates individuals who exhibit high moral character and are engaged 
and connected to school. Parents are closely involved and support these 
efforts in uniquely high numbers. This dedicated school and its 
community work hard to build a positive community through its character 
education program, and has experienced great success socially and 
academically because of it.

  Character education programs work. Schools across the country that 
have adopted strong character education programs report better student 
performance, fewer discipline problems, and increased student 
involvement within the community. Children want direction--they want to 
be taught right from wrong. Young people yearn for consistent adult 
involvement, and when they get it, according to surveys, they are less 
inclined to use illegal drugs, vandalize or commit suicide. The 
American public wants character education in our schools, too. Studies 
show that approximately 90 percent of Americans support schools 
teaching character education.
  As all education policy should be, support of character education is 
bipartisan. This year we have cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. 
Many of our country's leading educational and youth-serving 
organizations also actively support character education, including 
YMCA, 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Little League, the National 
Education Association and the National Association of Secondary School 
Principals.
  Character education can and is being incorporated into children's 
lives in and outside of the classroom. It provides a helping hand to 
our schools and communities to ensure our children's futures are bright 
and filled with opportunities and success. Character education not only 
cultivates minds, it nurtures hearts. While our children may be one-
quarter of our population, they are 100 percent of our future.
  I would submit that character transcends religious, cultural, 
political,

[[Page S10753]]

and socioeconomic barriers. I believe our country is having a renewed 
focus on character and this sends a wonderful message to Americans, and 
will help those of us involved in character education reinvigorate our 
efforts to get communities and schools involved.
  So today, Senator Domenici and I introduce a resolution to accomplish 
just that and hopefully our renewed effort will bring together even 
more communities to ensure that character education is a part of every 
child's life. I hope that my colleagues will support this important 
effort.

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