H. Res. 56 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
January 22, 2009. 
Whereas the American School Counselor Association has de-
clared the week of February 2 through February 6, 
2009, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; 
Whereas the House of Representatives has recognized the im-
portance of school counseling through the inclusion of el-
ementary 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 edu-
cation system of the United States must leave no child 
behind and must provide opportunities for all students; 
Whereas school counselors have long emphasized the impor-
tance 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 opportuni-
ties; 
Whereas school counselors may encourage students to pursue 
challenging academic courses to prepare them for college 
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•HRES 56 EH 
majors and careers in the science, technology, engineer-
ing, 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, discipli-
nary problems, and problems in the home; 
Whereas school counselors are also instrumental in helping 
students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trau-
ma 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 coun-
selors to student success, counseling positions are not al-
ways 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 stu-
dents 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 
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Resolved, That the United States House of Representa-
tives— 
(1) honors and recognizes the contributions of 
school counselors to the success of students in our Na-
tion’s elementary and secondary schools; and 
(2) encourages the people of the United States to 
observe ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’ with appro-
priate 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. 
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