[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 43 (Monday, October 27, 1997)]
[Pages 1617-1618]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7043--National Character Counts Week, 1997

October 17, 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,

[[Page 1618]]

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.
    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.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:38 a.m., October 20, 
1997]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
21. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.