[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK
The resolution (S. Res. 658) designating the week beginning October
17, 2010, as ``National Character Counts Week'' was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 658
Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that
the young people of the United States become an involved,
caring citizenry of 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 a 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 that 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 17, 2010, 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. DODD. Mr. President, today Senator Grassley and I resubmitted a
resolution designating the third week of October as National Character
Counts Week. Last year, Senator Grassley and I worked together on the
issue of character education, and I am pleased to continue to designate
a special week to this cause. I hope that with this resolution we may
highlight the importance of character building activities in schools
not only this week but all year long.
Since 1994, when the Partnerships in Character Education Pilot
Project was first established, I have worked to commemorate National
Character Counts Week. Character Counts was founded on a simple notion:
our core ethical values are not just important to us as individuals--
they form the very foundation of democratic society. We know that 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 we also jeopardize our
future.
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.
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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