For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
June 19, 2002
Remarks by Mrs. Bush at the White House Conference on Character and Community
The White House East Room
As delivered.
Welcome to the White House Conference on Character and Community.
We all agree that education opens the door of hope for all of
America's children. Education is a broad topic. Some people think of
education in terms of the "Three R's" - reading, writing, and
'rithmetic - but another "R" is essential: responsibility.
Most of us have learned the Four R's. The bedrock lessons and
values that shaped our lives as children continue to make our lives
meaningful as adults. Good parents and teachers try to instill these
values in children.
Gwendolyn Williams, a third-grade teacher at Manatee Elementary
School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said, "My students are at school for
six hours each day. Most of them spend more (awake) hours with me than
they spend with their parents. Therefore, I see my class as a family.
It's the perfect environment to teach responsibility, respect, honesty,
fairness, sharing, trust, diversity, tolerance and caring. Character
education is a major part of my curriculum."
Children want to experience the joy of helping others. They should
learn at an early age that helping others makes them feel good.
Think about when you were in second grade and your teacher asked
you to draw a picture of someone you wanted to be when you grew up.
Think of what you drew a firefighter, a police officer, an athlete, a
doctor, an astronaut, a teacher, or sometimes even a president.
These are people whose actions make them heroes. We drew them
because we wanted to be heroes like them.
But you don't have to walk into a burning building or wear a badge
to rescue someone.
You don't have to score a touchdown to win points with someone. You
don't have to go to medical school to help a person feel better. You
don't have to walk on the moon to change this earth, and you don't have
to sign a bill to change your state or country.
Kindness and heroism can't always be drawn in a picture. But they
can be taught in our classrooms and churches, clubs and other places
where children gather.
Today's Conference on Character and Community gives us the
opportunity to share our stories, experiences, and perspectives for the
good of our country and our children. In doing so, we recognize that
character and service are national priorities. Service rises from
strong character; and strong character compels us to serve.
We all have the responsibility to promote strong values. And we
know that character education is important and can be effective.
Our next speaker personifies the concepts of duty, honor, and
country. His record of service is marked by a deep commitment to the
values we're talking about today. He spent 35 years of his life
serving his country as a professional soldier in the Army - a career of
distinction and success.
He retired from the Army "at the top of his game", as the President
might say, but he never stopped serving his country. In fact, Colin
Powell had a promise to make America's Promise. And, he continues to
keep his promise of service today. Americans are proud to have him
serving our country. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Secretary of
State Colin Powell.
# # #
|