Congressional Record
Proceedings, Debates of the U.S. Congress

        

[Page S7668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK

  The resolution (S. Res. 658) designating the week beginning October 
17, 2010, as ``National Character Counts Week'' was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 658

       Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that 
     the young people of the United States become an involved, 
     caring citizenry of 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 a 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 that 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 17, 2010, 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.

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today Senator Grassley and I resubmitted a 
resolution designating the third week of October as National Character 
Counts Week. Last year, Senator Grassley and I worked together on the 
issue of character education, and I am pleased to continue to designate 
a special week to this cause. I hope that with this resolution we may 
highlight the importance of character building activities in schools 
not only this week but all year long.
  Since 1994, when the Partnerships in Character Education Pilot 
Project was first established, I have worked to commemorate National 
Character Counts Week. Character Counts was founded on a simple notion: 
our core ethical values are not just important to us as individuals--
they form the very foundation of democratic society. We know that in 
order to face our challenges as communities and as a Nation, we need 
our children to be both well-educated and trained--and that begins with 
instilling character in our children. Trustworthiness, respect, 
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship--these are the six 
pillars of character.
  Character education provides students a context within which to learn 
those values and integrate them into our daily lives. Indeed, if we 
view education simply as the imparting of knowledge to our children, 
then we not only miss an opportunity, but we also jeopardize our 
future.
  The American public wants character education in our schools, too. 
Studies show that approximately 90 percent of Americans support schools 
teaching character education. Character education programs work. 
Currently, there are character education programs across all 50 States 
in rural, urban and suburban areas at every grade level. Schools across 
the country that have adopted strong character education programs 
report better student performance, fewer discipline problems, and 
increased student involvement within the community.
  This renewed focus on character sends a wonderful message to 
Americans and will help reinvigorate our efforts to get communities and 
schools involved. With this resolution, it is my hope that even more 
communities will make character education a part of every child's life. 
I hope that my colleagues will support this important effort.

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