[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 19 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S527-S528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 27--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 4 THROUGH 8, 
              2013, AS ``NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK''

  Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Isakson, and Mr. Levin) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 27

       Whereas the American School Counselor Association has 
     designated the week of February 4 through 8, 2013, as 
     ``National School Counseling Week'';
       Whereas the importance of school counseling has been 
     recognized through the inclusion of elementary- and 
     secondary-school counseling programs in amendments to the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6301 et seq.);
       Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the 
     education system of the United States must provide equitable 
     opportunities for all students;

[[Page S528]]

       Whereas personal and social growth results in increased 
     academic achievement;
       Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded 
     students by guiding the students through academic, personal, 
     social, and career development;
       Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring 
     that students are college- and career-ready, and are aware of 
     financial aid and college opportunities;
       Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate 
     efforts to foster a positive school culture resulting in a 
     safer learning environment for all students;
       Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping 
     students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as 
     well as tragedies in the community and the United States;
       Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, 
     including peer pressure, bullying, depression, the deployment 
     of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school 
     violence;
       Whereas school counselors are one of the few professionals 
     in a school building who are trained in both education and 
     mental-health matters;
       Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors 
     are often misunderstood;
       Whereas the school-counselor position is often among the 
     first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints;
       Whereas the national average ratio of students to school 
     counselors of 471 to 1 is almost twice that of the ratio of 
     250 to 1 recommended by the American School Counselor 
     Association, the National Association for College Admission 
     Counseling, and other organizations; and
       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: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of February 4 through 8, 2013, as 
     ``National School Counseling Week''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that 
     promote awareness of the role school counselors play in the 
     school and the community at large in preparing students for 
     fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.

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