[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22650]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 694--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 19, 2008, 
                 AS ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''

  Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Rockefeller, 
Mr. Inhofe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. 
Biden, Mr. Cornyn, and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 694

       Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that 
     the young people of the United States become an involved, 
     caring citizenry with 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 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 people 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 people do not 
     automatically develop good character and that, therefore, 
     conscientious efforts must be made by institutions and 
     individuals that influence youth to help young people 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 people 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 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 our 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 who have an interest in the education and 
     training of the young people of 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 their 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 19, 2008, 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 the week with appropriate ceremonies, 
     programs, and activities.

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