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104TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 103

To proclaim the week of October 15 through October 21, 1995, as National

Character Counts Week, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

APRIL 5, 1995

Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. NUNN, Mr. DODD, Mr. COCHRAN, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. BENNETT, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. KEMPTHORNE, Mr. DORGAN, Mr. FRIST, and Mr. ROCKEFELLER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

To proclaim the week of October 15 through October 21,

1995, as National Character Counts Week, and for other

purposes.

Whereas young people will be the stewards of our communities, the nation, and world in critical times, and the

present and future well-being of society requires an involved, caring citizenry with good character;

Whereas concerns about the character training of children

have taken on a new sense of urgency as violence by and

against youth threatens the physical and psychological

well-being of the United States;

Whereas, more than ever, children need strong and constructive guidance from their families, their communities, and
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institutions such as schools, youth organizations, religious

institutions, and civic groups;

Whereas the character of a nation is only as strong as the

character of the individual citizens comprising the nation;

Whereas the public good is advanced when young people are

taught the importance of good character, and that character counts in personal relationships, in school, and in

the workplace;

Whereas scholars and educators agree that people do not

automatically develop good character and, therefore, conscientious efforts must be made by youth-influencing institutions and individuals to help young people develop

the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good

character;

Whereas character development is, first and foremost, an obligation of families, efforts by religious institutions,

schools, and youth, civic, and human service organizations also play a very important role in supporting family

efforts by fostering and promoting good character;

Whereas the Senate encourages students, teachers, parents,

youth, and community leaders to recognize the valuable

role youth in the United States play in the present and

future of the United States, and to recognize that character plays an important role in the future of the United

States;

Whereas, in July 1992, the Aspen Declaration was written by

an eminent group of educators, youth leaders, and ethics

scholars for the purpose of articulating a coherent framework for character education appropriate to a diverse and

pluralistic society;
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Whereas the Aspen Declaration states that ‘‘Effective character education is based on core ethical values which

form the foundation of democratic society’’;

Whereas the core ethical values identified by the Aspen Declaration constitute the 6 core elements of character;

Whereas the 6 core elements of character are trustworthiness,

respect, responsibility, justice and fairness, caring, and

civic virtue and citizenship;

Whereas the 6 core elements of character transcend cultural,

religious, and socioeconomic differences;

Whereas the Aspen Declaration states that ‘‘The character

and conduct of our youth reflect the character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has the responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values and every

social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good character.’’;

Whereas the Senate encourages individuals and organizations, especially the individuals and organizations that

have an interest in the education and training of our

youth, to adopt the 6 core elements of character as intrinsic to the well-being of individuals, communities, and

society as a whole; and

Whereas the Senate encourages communities, especially

schools and youth organizations, to integrate the 6 core

elements of character into programs serving students and

children: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate proclaims the week of Oc2 tober 15 through October 21, 1995, as National Character

3 Counts Week, and requests the President to issue a proc4 lamation calling upon the people of the United States and
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1 interested groups to embrace the 6 core elements of char2 acter and to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies

3 and activities.

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