[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54755-54756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28090]



[[Page 54753]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7043--National Character Counts Week, 1997
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 203 / Tuesday, October 21, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54755]]

                Proclamation 7043 of October 17, 1997

                
National Character Counts Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The roots of America's greatness are embedded in the 
                character of its citizens. From our Founders' passion 
                for justice and equality to the social consciousness 
                and humanitarian spirit of today's citizens, the 
                character of our people has inspired the world. 
                Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, our 
                communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate 
                the importance of character in our individual lives and 
                in the life of our country.

                Instilling sound character in our children is essential 
                to maintaining the strength of our Nation into the 21st 
                century. The core ethical values of trustworthiness, 
                fairness, responsibility, caring, respect, and 
                citizenship form the foundation of our democracy, our 
                economy, and our society. These qualities are not 
                innate but learned, and we must ensure that we nurture 
                them--both through our words and our example--in our 
                Nation's young people.

                More than any other institution, the family is the 
                cradle of character, giving children their first 
                crucial lessons in attitude and behavior. In today's 
                complex society, where children are subject to 
                pressures and negative influences rarely experienced by 
                earlier generations, parents face great challenges as 
                they strive to impart to their children the values that 
                will help them become caring and responsible members of 
                society.

                My Administration has worked hard to give parents new 
                tools to help them fulfill their important 
                responsibilities. We worked to require V-chips on all 
                new televisions to give parents greater control over 
                what their children watch; we collaborated with the 
                television industry to encourage the airing of more 
                educational programming for children; and we negotiated 
                a breakthrough agreement with the entertainment and 
                broadcast industries to create a voluntary ratings 
                system that will help parents identify programs 
                containing material inappropriate for children. Our 
                proposed funding for the Anti-Gang and Youth Violence 
                Strategy will provide for after-school initiatives in 
                communities across the country to help keep young 
                people occupied in wholesome activities, off the 
                streets, and out of trouble while their parents are at 
                work.

                Schools also have an important role in educating our 
                young people about the difference between right and 
                wrong. My Administration has recognized this by 
                creating partnerships with the States to help our 
                schools do a better job of teaching character to 
                America's students. Our push for rigorous standards and 
                our promise to open the doors of college to all 
                students who work hard let students know that good 
                character really does count and will be rewarded with 
                expanded opportunity. We also should encourage and 
                commend the schools across our country that have begun 
                to incorporate volunteer service as a curriculum 
                requirement, teaching students the important life 
                lessons of sharing, compassion, and civic 
                responsibility.

[[Page 54756]]

                Developing strong values in America's children requires 
                the participation of all our people. As we observe this 
                special week, I ask that all Americans demonstrate in 
                their personal and public lives, and teach actively to 
                our country's children, the high ethical standards that 
                are essential to good character and to the continued 
                success of our Nation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim October 19 through October 
                25, 1997, as National Character Counts Week. I call 
                upon the people of the United States, government 
                officials, educators, religious, community, and 
                business leaders, and the States to commemorate this 
                week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-second.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-28090
Filed 10-20-97; 10:38 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P