[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 1978-1979]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          CHARACTER EDUCATION

  (Mr. CLEMENT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CLEMENT. Madam Speaker, later today I will be introducing with 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) the Character Learning and Student 
Success Act. Society is growing increasingly concerned about the steady 
decline of our Nation's core ethical values, especially in our 
children.
  There exists in Tennessee and across the country successful character 
education programs that have improved

[[Page 1979]]

school climate, reduced disruptive behavior and resulted in higher 
performing schools. However, no organization exists that can track 
these success stories, help schools identify their particular needs, 
and implement effective character education programs. That is why we 
are introducing the CLASS Act. This bill would establish a national 
center for character education that would provide the most up-to-date 
information about effective character education programs and aid 
schools in developing their own programs.
  Character education is becoming a national priority in the education 
reform debate. We want all of our children to be responsible, 
upstanding members of society. I believe that this legislation will 
help schools create environments where such values are fostered.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring 
this bill.

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