[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 158 (Thursday, October 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13130-S13131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 351, which was submitted
earlier today.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the
resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 351) designating the week beginning
October 21, 2007, as ``National Character Counts Week.''
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
(At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to
be printed in the Record.)
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today Senator Domenici and I
submitted a resolution designating next week, the week of October 21-
27, 2007 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 important cause, students and teachers will come
together to participate in character building activities in their
schools this week and throughout the year.
Senator Domenici and I first established the Partnerships in
Character Education Pilot Project in 1994 and since then we have worked
together regularly 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 the ability of
States and schools to make character education a central part of every
child's education.
While English, math and science provide the figurative bricks of
schools, character education 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
decisionmaking. 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 we will also jeopardize our future.
Currently, there are character education programs across all 50
States in rural, urban and suburban areas at every grade level. I hope
that in celebrating National Character Counts Week, that more schools
in every State adopt similar programs.
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 their communities. 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 property 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.
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 for success. Character education not only
cultivates minds, it nurtures hearts. While our children may only
represent one-quarter of our population, they are 100 percent of our
future.
I submit that character transcends religious, cultural, political,
and socio-economic barriers. I believe our country is having a renewed
focus on character and this resolution sends a wonderful message to
Americans and will help those of us involved in character education
reinvigorate our efforts to get more communities and schools involved.
So today, Senator Domenici and I submitted 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 join us in this important
effort.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today my good friend Senator Dodd and I
submitted a resolution designating the week of October 21 as the 2007
National Character Counts Week.
Our character is the foundation of who we are as people and how we
are perceived by the world. Every day 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
[[Page S13131]]
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
programs we have had in New Mexico for 2007.
Character Counts works in New Mexico because it is truly a community
partnership. There was a brilliant example last week during the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The Balloon Fiesta staff
hosted 60 selected school kids for 2 days of festive activities.
Northrop Grumman provided tethered balloon rides. Meals on Wheels fed
the young people lunch, and the Albuquerque Balloon Museum gave some of
the students a tour of the exhibits to show them the history of hot air
balloons. These were fun days, but the children certainly learned about
civic responsibility with some of our state's top business and
community leaders. A once in a lifetime experience for many of these
kids, and exposure to adults demonstrating respect, responsibility,
trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship, and caring; the ``Six Pillars
of Character.''
During the week of October 21, 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 19
in Albuquerque, NM, there will be a Character is the Heart of New
Mexico Parade, put on by Duranes Elementary beginning at the Old Town
Plaza and ending at the Albuquerque Museum. On October 25, Roswell will
celebrate 13 years of Character Counts with a Character Counts Super
Celebration at Roswell High School. And on October 27, Gallup will
celebrate with a Character Counts Parade starting at Fourth and Coal
and ending at Lincoln Elementary School. 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.
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. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 351) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 351
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
Whereas the establishment of National Character Counts
Week, during which individuals, families, schools, youth
organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and
other organizations focus on character education, is of great
benefit to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week beginning October 21, 2007, 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.
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