III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 314 

Designating the week beginning October 18, 2009, as ‘‘National Character 

Counts Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 19, 2009 

Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. BROWN, Mr. ENZI, Mr. CASEY, 

Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. ROCKEFELLER, Mr. 

INHOFE, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. 

CORNYN, Ms. STABENOW, and Mr. PRYOR) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the week beginning October 18, 2009, as 

‘‘National Character Counts Week’’. 

Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that the 

young people of this Nation 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; 


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•SRES 314 ATS 

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 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 


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•SRES 314 ATS 

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 wellbeing 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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the week beginning October 18, 

3 2009, as ‘‘National Character Counts Week’’; and 

4 (2) calls upon the people of the United States 

5 and interested groups— 

6 (A) to embrace the elements of character 

7 identified by local schools and communities, 

8 such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, 

9 fairness, caring, and citizenship; and 

10 (B) to observe the week with appropriate 

11 ceremonies, programs, and activities. 

Æ 


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