H. Con. Res. 204
Agreed to October 11, 2001
One Hundred Seventh Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and one
Concurrent Resolution
Whereas the well-being of the Nation requires that the young
people of the United States become an involved, caring citizenry
with 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;
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 automati-
cally develop good character and that, therefore, conscientious
efforts must be made by institutions and individuals that influ-
ence 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 their role in deter-
mining the future of the Nation;
Whereas effective character education is based on core ethical values
which form the foundation of democratic society;
Whereas examples of character are trustworthiness, respect, respon-
sibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
Whereas elements of character transcend cultural, religious, and
socioeconomic differences;
H. Con. Res. 204—2
Whereas the character and conduct of our youth reflect the char-
acter and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has the respon-
sibility to teach and model ethical values and every social institu-
tion has the responsibility to promote the development of good
character;
Whereas Congress encourages individuals and organizations, espe-
cially those who 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 well-being of individuals, commu-
nities, 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;
Whereas the establishment of National Character Counts Week,
during which individuals, families, schools, youth organizations,
religious institutions, civic groups, and other organizations would
focus on character education, would be of great benefit to the
Nation; and
Whereas the week beginning October 15, 2001, and the week begin-
ning October 14, 2002, are appropriate weeks to establish as
National Character Counts Week: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) a National Character Counts Week should be estab-
lished to promote character education; and
(2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon
the people of the United States to—
(A) embrace the elements of character identified by
their local schools and communities, such as trust-
worthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizen-
ship, and honesty; and
H. Con. Res. 204—3
(B) observe such a week with appropriate ceremonies,
programs, and activities.
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.