[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10021-S10022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  The resolution (S. Res. 694) designating the week beginning October 
19, 2008, as ``National Character Counts Week'' was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 694

       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 19, 2008, 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.


                    NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise in support of a resolution 
expressing the sense of the Senate that the week including Veterans 
Day--November 9-15, 2008--be designated as ``National Veterans 
Awareness Week.'' This marks the ninth year I have introduced such as 
resolution, which has been adopted unanimously by the Senate on all 
previous occasions, and has been recognized by the President as an 
important objective. With our military men and women continuing to be 
on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is no doubt appropriate 
that we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of those who are 
currently serving to protect our freedom, as well as those who have 
served in the past.
  The idea behind National Veterans Awareness Week actually came from a 
Delaware student, Samuel I. Cashdollar. In 2000, as a 13-year-old 
seventh grader at Lewes Middle School, Samuel won the Delaware VFW's 
Youth Essay Contest with a powerful presentation titled ``How Should We 
honor America's Veterans?'' Samuel's essay pointed out that we have 
Nurses' Week, Secretaries' Week, and Teachers' Week to rightly 
emphasize the importance of these occupations, but no comparable week 
to encourage, and honor, service in the military. That is why, every 
year since 2000, I have introduced a resolution designating National 
Veterans Awareness Week to focus on educating our youth on the 
contributions, heroism, and service of our veterans.
  The reality is, during both World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam 
conflicts, families were more likely to have a relative serving in the 
military. That is not the case today; tremendous advances in military 
technology, an all-volunteer force, and increases in productivity have 
greatly reduced the number of families with relatives who are active 
servicemembers or recent veteran. Coupled with the fact that the number 
of veterans who served in major conflicts like World War II is 
declining, it is more important than ever that we take the time to make 
sure students comprehend and appreciate the service and sacrifice of 
our veterans. National Veterans Awareness Week provides us with an 
opportunity to do just that. Additionally, with soldiers returning from 
the front lines with service-connected injuries, National Veterans 
Awareness Week reminds us how important it is that we keep our promise 
to veterans by providing them with the proper support and services they 
need once they return home. This promise is the most sacred obligation 
we have, and it is imperative that our children are also aware of the 
debt we owe our veterans.
  In closing, let me add that, although many of us will not have the 
opportunity to serve our country in uniform, we must not forget our 
responsibility as citizens to fulfill the obligations we owe, both 
tangible and intangible, to those who have served and sacrificed on our 
behalf. By passing along this shared responsibility and recognition to 
future generations, our children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren will continue to appreciate and honor what our veterans 
have accomplished in order to appropriately confront the many 
challenges they are sure to encounter.

[[Page S10022]]

                     National Character Counts Week

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise in support of a resolution 
designating the week of October 19 through 25 as the 2008 ``National 
Character Counts Week.'' I would also like to recognize and thank my 
colleague and good friend, Senator Chris Dodd, for his support of 
Character Counts and his partnership on numerous legislative issues 
throughout the years.
  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, or 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. 
As I prepare to leave the Senate, I would like to reflect upon some of 
the tremendous accomplishments of this program and how it continues to 
affect New Mexicans in a positive way.
  This year, the New Mexico Character Education Program, funded by the 
Partnership in Character Education Federal Grant, included 14 school 
districts and five charter schools statewide, with 50,726 students 
participating in 106 schools statewide. Through this program, the ``Six 
Pillars of Character'' have become a common thread of communication for 
students, teachers and parents across the State. In addition, 3,640 
coaches, athletic directors and youth sports officials worked, in 
conjunction with the New Mexico Activities Association, to incorporate 
the goal of teaching the ``Pursuing Victory with Honor'' theme to 
students participating in sports. I am thrilled that schools and 
communities in New Mexico saw a marked increase in leadership role 
participation and a change in the school climate: Eugene Field 
Elementary School in Albuquerque, NM, has seen a decrease in discipline 
referrals from five per day to five in the school year. All of the 
organizations and schools who have been involved, including those not 
mentioned here, are to be commended for their hard work in developing 
these programs and spreading the message that character truly does 
count.
  In addition to these numbers, which show the remarkable affect 
Character Counts is having on my home State of New Mexico, there are 
many individual stories about how New Mexicans are affecting each 
other's lives on a day to day basis as a result of this program. One 
particularly touching story is that of 9-year-old Jacob Thomson, who 
lives in Clovis, NM. Jacob has cystic fibrosis, and when he missed the 
big basketball game to go to the hospital for treatment, the Clovis 
High School basketball team went and visited him in the hospital, 
bringing him a basketball, a shirt, and a smile. These athletes had 
been involved with the Character Counts program and displayed what a 
powerful impact this program has had and continues to have.
  During the week of October 19, 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 17, 
a Character Counts Proclamation will be made at the Chaves County Court 
House in Roswell, NM. On October 20, Hagerman Elementary School in 
Hagerman, NM will be dedicating a Character Counts Mural. On October 
21, a zoo tour and pillar presentation will be held at Spring River 
Park for grades 3-5 in Roswell, NM.
  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 introduced a 
resolution designating the third week of October as ``National 
Character Counts Week.'' Senator Domenici and I have worked together 
for many years on the issue of character education and hope that by 
designating a special week to this cause, we may highlight the 
importance of character building activities in 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 Counts was 
founded on a simple notion: Our core ethical values aren't just 
important to us as individuals--they form the very foundation of 
democratic society. We know that we in order to face our challenges as 
communities and as a Nation, we need our children to be both well-
educated and trained--and that begins with instilling character in our 
children.
  Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and 
citizenship--these are the six pillars of character. Character 
education provides students a context within which to learn those 
values and integrate them into our daily lives. Indeed, if we view 
education simply as the imparting of knowledge to our children, then we 
not only miss an opportunity, but as also jeopardize our future. 
Children want direction-- to be taught right from wrong. Young people 
yearn for consistent adult involvement, and when they get it, we know 
they are less inclined to use illegal drugs, to 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.
  Character education programs work. Currently, there are character 
education programs across all 50 States in rural, urban and suburban 
areas at every grade level. 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.
  Support for character education crosses party lines. Indeed, there is 
no stronger advocate for character education than my good friend, 
Senator Pete Domenici. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with 
him to ensure that all our children not only acquire strong math and 
science skills, but also the skills they need to develop into good and 
decent human beings.
  Senator Domenici has worked tirelessly on behalf of our Nation's 
children, and as he winds down his career in the Senate, I would like 
to take a moment to thank him for his good work and friendship. He will 
be sorely missed in the halls of this building, and we all wish his 
wife, Nancy, and him the very best.
  This renewed focus on character sends a wonderful message to 
Americans and will help reinvigorate our efforts to get communities and 
schools involved. With this resolution, it is my hope that even more 
communities will make character education a part of every child's life. 
I hope that my colleagues will support this important effort.

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