[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H342-H344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1445
NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1029) expressing support for designation of the
week of February 1 through February 5, 2010, as ``National School
Counseling Week''.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1029
Whereas the American School Counselor Association has
declared the week of February 1 through February 5, 2010, as
``National School Counseling Week'';
Whereas the House of Representatives has recognized the
importance of school counseling through the inclusion of
elementary and secondary school counseling programs in the
last reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965;
Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the
education system of the United States must provide equitable
opportunities for all students;
Whereas school counselors have long emphasized the
importance of personal and social development in academic
achievement;
Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded
students by guiding them through their academic, personal,
social, and career development;
Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring
that students are aware of financial aid and college
opportunities;
Whereas school counselors may encourage students to pursue
challenging academic courses to prepare them for college
majors and careers in the science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics fields;
Whereas school counselors provide support for students
whose family members have been deployed to conflicts
overseas;
Whereas school counselors help students cope with serious
and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure,
mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems,
and problems in the home;
Whereas school counselors are also instrumental in helping
students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma and
community and national tragedies;
Whereas school counselors are among the few professionals
in a school building that are trained in both education and
mental health;
Whereas, despite the important contributions of school
counselors to student success, counseling positions are not
always protected when local budgets are cut, especially in
tough economic times;
Whereas the average student-to-counselor ratio in America's
public schools, 475-to-1, is almost double the 250-to-1 ratio
recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the
American Counseling Association, and other organizations;
Whereas the celebration of ``National School Counseling
Week'' would increase awareness of the important and
necessary role school counselors play in the lives of
students in the United States; and
Whereas the week of February 1 through February 5, 2010,
would be an appropriate week to designate as ``National
School Counseling Week'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
(1) honors and recognizes the contributions of school
counselors to the success of students in our Nation's
elementary and secondary schools; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe
``National School Counseling Week'' with appropriate
ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the
crucial role school counselors play in preparing students for
fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each
will control 20 minutes.
The gentlewoman from California is recognized.
General Leave
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous
material on H. Res. 1029 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1029, which
recognizes the impact that school counselors have in students' lives
throughout the country. It encourages the observance of February 1
through 5 as National School Counseling Week.
School counselors play an essential role in students', teachers', and
families' lives. National data show that school counselors improve
teacher quality, bolster student achievement, and lower dropout rates.
Additionally, research demonstrates that students who receive social
and emotional support and other services carried out by school
counselors achieve higher academic results.
Our education system employs school counselors at all levels, in
elementary, middle, and high school, as well as in district supervisory
positions. The educational backgrounds of school counselors qualify
them to work with students to address their academic, personal, social,
and career development needs. Through the implementation of a school
counseling program, counselors offer a range of services to students.
They also offer these services to parents, guardians, other school
staff, and the community at large. School counselors assist with
curriculum design and implementation, offer individual guidance and
counseling, and other intervention activities that meet immediate
student needs. Examples include education on mental health
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issues, school violence prevention, social and career skills training,
college guidance and preparation, as well as conflict resolution.
Day in and day out, Madam Speaker, school counselors work tirelessly
to provide academic, college preparatory, career, and emotional support
to our children. Through their leadership and advocacy, school
counselors strive to foster healthy school environments that promote
equity and access to quality educational experiences for every student.
I thank the American School Counselor Association and the National
Education Association for supporting this important resolution and the
work of counselors in our schools. National School Counseling Week
reminds us that the crucial role counselors play is absolutely
important in every student's life.
Madam Speaker, again, I support this resolution and thank
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez for bringing this resolution forward. I
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, again, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1029 that
expresses support for the designation of the week of February 1 through
February 5 2010 as National School Counseling Week, even though that is
only 5 days. But I guess that is a school week.
School counselors serve as a valuable resource to students across the
Nation. School counselors assist students with the transition from
secondary education to higher education or the workforce. They help
students cope with trauma and difficult family issues, assist students
and teachers in dealing with behavioral problems, and they serve as a
resource for students dealing with the challenges of becoming adults.
School counselors also serve as a resource for parents and educators.
They assist parents in communicating with their kids, and provide
parents with important information to help their kids transition to
higher education or the workforce. They work with teachers and parents
to help students explore their potential and set realistic education
and career goals. They often serve as a third party to mediate between
parent-teacher or student-teacher or parent-student relationships.
National School Counseling Week highlights the importance of school
counselors and the valuable assistance that they provide students,
parents, and teachers. This year's theme is ``Celebrate School
Counseling.'' The theme aims to focus public attention on the unique
contributions of professional school counselors.
I spent far many too years of my life teaching in the public school
system. I have known many counselors, and I have appreciated their
efforts and have respected their efforts and their goals even as I have
harassed them on their particular jobs.
With that, I express my sincere gratitude to all school counselors. I
recognize their contribution to our Nation's youth. I urge my
colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentlewoman
from California (Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez), the sponsor of the
legislation, for as much time as she may consume.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. I want to thank my colleague from
California (Ms. Woolsey).
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1029 and
support the goals of National School Counseling Week. I want to thank
Chairman George Miller and Ranking Member John Kline, as well as
Representative Vern Ehlers, for their support of this resolution.
I introduced this resolution to recognize the tireless efforts of a
group of professionals who have dedicated themselves to children and to
their education: school counselors.
I wish to take this opportunity to recognize a few of the diligent
and hardworking school counselors from California's 39th District.
Angela Castellanos of Santa Fe High School in Whittier, California, and
Alex Paredes of Southeast High School in South Gate, California, are
just two examples of counselors who do exceptional work every single
day to help our students reach their highest potential. It is because
of their unending dedication and the dedication of counselors like
Angela and Alex that children across our country succeed in becoming
engineers, doctors and, yes, even Members of Congress.
School counselors play a vital role in the development of our
students, not just on academic, but on social and personal levels as
well. Unfortunately, there simply aren't enough of them. Counselors
often find themselves the casualty of budget cuts. In California, for
example, the student-to-counselor ratio is a dismal 945 students to one
counselor. That's 945 students to one counselor, almost four times the
recommended ratio.
Our secondary school counselors work vigorously to increase
graduation rates, identify problems in our schools, and improve morale
by inspiring students to challenge themselves and explore new
opportunities.
Primary counselors often help identify students with health problems
or disabilities that interfere with learning. They also help youngsters
to cope with traumatic events, from moving to a new school to the death
of a parent.
Our counselors do amazing and often unrecognized work. Our
communities are strengthened by the students who are championed by
their school counselors. I urge my colleagues to support this effort to
recognize the outstanding work that counselors do to ensure that our
children's future is full of promise. I thank again my colleague.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. I have no other speakers. Is the gentlelady from
California ready to yield back?
Ms. WOOLSEY. I am ready to yield back.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Then with that, I urge adoption of this
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res.
1029, which recognizes the impact that school counselors have in
students' lives and encourages the observation of February 1 through
February 5 as National School Counseling Week.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of
House Resolution 1029. This resolution designates the week of February
1 through February 5 as ``National School Counseling Week.'' It is
extremely vital that we recognize those very people who mentor and
motivate our youth to do their very best. Our Nation's school
counselors work everyday to ensure every child has opportunities for
personal and educational growth. With very little resources, they help
some kids stay in school and help others cope with personal tragedies.
They help our children dream big and prepare for careers from
manufacturing to medicine to becoming tomorrow's future leaders. Thus
it is vital we support and honor those who play key roles in our
children's success and life.
The national ``drop out'' rate has increased to 6.2 million students
in the United States ranging in age from 16 and 24. This pressing issue
is of utter importance and should be addressed with urgency as it
pertains to our youth. These statistics are hard to believe. Only half
of the high school students in the Nation's 50 largest cities are
graduating in four years. Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO of
America's Promise, says that each year dropouts represent $320 billion
in lost lifetime earning potential. The difference in lifetime salary
for a dropout and a high school graduate is about $300,000. This is why
it is really important for students to have counselors who are
instrumental in encouraging students to stay in school and motivate
them to succeed.
This subject is near and dear to my heart. In Houston, we have one of
the highest drop out rates in the country. Houston Independent School
District's, HISD's, dropout rate is at least 18 percent. It is one of
the biggest challenges we are having. Many students need the extra push
to truly value education and to stay in school. In the current global
economy, having at least a high school diploma is a critical step for
avoiding poverty, and a college degree is a prerequisite for a well-
paying job. The costs of dropping out of high school today are
substantial and have risen over time, especially for young men, who
find it almost impossible to earn an adequate income to take care of
themselves and their families.
By contrast, adults with high school diplomas contribute major fiscal
benefits to the country over their lifetime. The combined lifetime
fiscal benefits--including the payment of payroll, Federal, and State
income taxes--could amount to more than $250,000 per graduated student.
Such a public fiscal benefit more than outweighs the estimated cost of
enrolling a student who has dropped out.
The average counselor-to-student ratio in America's public schools is
a mere one 1 to
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475, a ratio that means school counselors must work extremely hard to
meet the individual educational needs of students. Yet, despite their
limited supply, counselors are always there in a pinch: counselors are
instrumental in helping children and their families cope with trauma,
whether a natural disaster or a family death.
As many of you know, professional secondary school counselors are
also an integral part of the effort to increase graduation rates.
School counselors identify potential problems early in a student's
academic career and make sure that they are addressed before students
become overwhelmed and drop out. School counselors also inspire
children to achieve better futures for themselves and their communities
through education.
Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution in
honoring our school counselors who do so much and rarely get
recognition for their hard work.
Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1029.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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