[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 166 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 721--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 18, 2020, 
                 AS ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''

  Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Enzi, Mr. 
Lankford, Mr. Braun, Mrs. Blackburn, and Mrs. Capito) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 721

       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 from 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 individuals 
     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 individuals do 
     not automatically develop good character and that, therefore, 
     institutions and individuals that influence youth must make 
     conscientious efforts to help young individuals 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 individuals 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 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 individuals in 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 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 18, 2020, 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 National Character Counts Week with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

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