```

[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 56 Engrossed in House (EH)]

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      January 22, 2009.
Whereas the American School Counselor Association has declared the week of 
        February 2 through February 6, 2009, as ``National School Counseling 
        Week'';
Whereas the House of Representatives has recognized the importance of school 
        counseling through the inclusion of elementary and secondary school 
        counseling programs in the last reauthorization of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965;
Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the education system of the 
        United States must leave no child behind and must provide opportunities 
        for all students;
Whereas school counselors have long emphasized the importance of personal and 
        social development in academic achievement;
Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding them 
        through their academic, personal, social, and career development;
Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are aware 
        of financial aid and college opportunities;
Whereas school counselors may encourage students to pursue challenging academic 
        courses to prepare them for college majors and careers in the science, 
        technology, engineering, and mathematics fields;
Whereas school counselors provide support for students whose family members have 
        been deployed to conflicts overseas;
Whereas school counselors help students cope with serious and common challenges 
        of growing up, including peer pressure, mental health issues, school 
        violence, disciplinary problems, and problems in the home;
Whereas school counselors are also instrumental in helping students, teachers, 
        and parents deal with personal trauma and community and national 
        tragedies;
Whereas school counselors are among the few professionals in a school building 
        that are trained in both education and mental health;
Whereas, despite the important contributions of school counselors to student 
        success, counseling positions are not always protected when budgets are 
        cut, especially in tough economic times;
Whereas the average student-to-counselor ratio in America's public schools, 475 
        to 1, is almost double the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American 
        School Counselor Association, the American Counseling Association, and 
        other organizations;
Whereas the celebration of ``National School Counseling Week'' would increase 
        awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in 
        the lives of students in the United States; and
Whereas the week of February 2 through February 6, 2009, would be an appropriate 
        week to designate as ``National School Counseling Week'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) honors and recognizes the contributions of school counselors to 
        the success of students in our Nation's elementary and secondary 
        schools; 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 crucial role school counselors play in 
        preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of 
        society.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
```