III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 548 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 8 (legislative day, February 7), 2024 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Collins , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Brown , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Hassan , Ms. Hirono , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Sanders , Mrs. Shaheen , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Smith , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Welch , and Mr. Wyden ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 5 through 9, 2024, as National School Counseling Week .

Whereas school counselors are more important now than ever, as the COVID–19 pandemic has magnified the mental health crisis among the youth of the United States; Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated February 5 through 9, 2024, as National School Counseling Week ; Whereas school counselors have long advocated for all students; Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic learning, social and emotional development, and career exploration; Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to increased academic achievement; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for both college and careers; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships; Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer learning environment for all students; Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and the United States; Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence; Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and social and emotional development; Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood; Whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints; Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is 408 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations; and Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week will increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) designates the week of February 5 through 9, 2024, as National School Counseling Week ; 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 role school counselors play in schools and the community at large in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.