[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN SUPPORT OF H. RES. 525: NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong 
support of H. Res. 525 and support the goals of ``National School 
Counseling Week.''
  I introduced this resolution to recognize the tireless efforts of a 
group of professionals who have dedicated themselves to our children 
and their education.
  I wish to take this opportunity to recognize the diligent and 
hardworking school counselors throughout our country. Counselors like 
Sue Im, in my home district, at Gahr High School in Cerritos.
  Every day counselors do exceptional work to help our students reach 
their highest potential. It is because of their unending dedication--
children across our country succeed in becoming engineers, doctors, and 
even Members of Congress.
  School counselors play a vital role in the development of our 
students on academic, social, and personal levels. Unfortunately, there 
aren't enough of them. Counselors often find themselves the casualty of 
budget cuts.
  The average student-to-counselor ratio in America's public schools, 
459-to-1, is almost double the 250-to-1 ratio recommended by the 
American School Counselor Association and the National Association for 
College Admission Counseling. Those numbers are even worse in 
California where the student to counselor ratio is a dismal 810 
students to one counselor-- one of the worst ratios in the country.
  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 work that often goes unrecognized. 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.

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