SENATE RESOLUTION 721--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 18, 2020, AS ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 166
(Senate - September 24, 2020)
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From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 721--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 18, 2020,
AS ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''
Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Enzi, Mr.
Lankford, Mr. Braun, Mrs. Blackburn, and Mrs. Capito) submitted the
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 721
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 from 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 individuals
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 individuals do
not automatically develop good character and that, therefore,
institutions and individuals that influence youth must make
conscientious efforts to help young individuals 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 individuals 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 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 individuals in 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 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 18, 2020, 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 National Character Counts Week with
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
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