[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18355]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             TROUP HIGH SCHOOL CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM

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                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, all across America, there is a 
growing level of concern about a perceived culture of violence and 
apathy among many of our young people. In response, parents, teachers, 
students, and political leaders have been searching for ways to 
counteract these trends. I am pleased to report to the House of 
Representatives that one high school principal in my Congressional 
District is truly helping to provide a solution to this problem. That 
principal is Bill Parsons, and the school where he serves is Troup High 
School in LaGrange, Georgia.
  Several years ago, Bill Parsons was working at West Point Elementary 
School in Troup County. At the time, he came to the realization 
disrespectful behavior is due, at least in part, to a lack of 
understanding among students about what it means to develop good 
character, and how having moral and courteous habits can help students 
lead better lives. For this reason, he instituted a character education 
program that resulted in a significant and immediate drop in 
disciplinary referrals.
  Word about Principal Bill Parsons' work quickly spread, and his 
efforts became the model for similar character education programs 
across the southeast. In addition to speaking about his program across 
the country, Bill Parsons is now working to implement a similar program 
that brings parents, teachers, students, businesses, and community 
leaders together to hammer home the message: character really does 
count.
  I salute Bill Parsons for his crusade to make building good character 
a part of every child's education. I urge my colleagues in the Congress 
to look to his example, and do everything we can to support efforts 
such as his.

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