SENATE RESOLUTION 477--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3 THROUGH 7, 2020, AS ``NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK''; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 10
(Senate - January 16, 2020)
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From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 477--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3 THROUGH 7,
2020, AS ``NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK''
Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Collins, Mr. King, Mr. Lankford, Mr.
Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms.
Hassan, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms.
Harris, Mr. Markey, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Smith, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Sanders,
Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution;
which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 477
Whereas the American School Counselor Association has
designated February 3 through 7, 2020, as ``National School
Counseling Week'';
Whereas school counselors have long advocated for equitable
opportunities for all students;
Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded
students by guiding students through academic learning,
social and emotional development, and career exploration;
Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to
increased academic achievement;
Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring
that students are ready for both college and careers;
Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making
students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college
scholarships;
Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate
efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a
safer learning environment for all students;
Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping
students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as
well as tragedies in their communities and the United States;
Whereas students face myriad challenges every day,
including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the
deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas,
and school violence;
Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals
in a school building who is trained in both education and
social and emotional development;
Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors
are often misunderstood;
Whereas the school counselor position is often among the
first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints;
Whereas the national average ratio of students to school
counselors is 442 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio
recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the
National Association for College Admission Counseling, and
other organizations; and
Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week
will increase awareness of the important and necessary role
school counselors play in the lives of students in the United
States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of February 3 through 7, 2020, as
``National School Counseling Week''; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National School Counseling Week with appropriate ceremonies
and activities that promote awareness of the role school
counselors play in schools and the community at large in
preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing
members of society.
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