[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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