Political Quotes

“I rise to join my friend and colleague from New Mexico, Senator Domenici, in introducing the Strong Character for Strong Schools Act. Senator Domenici and I have worked together for many years on this important issue. We established the Partnerships in Character Education Pilot Project in 1994 and have worked regularly since then to commemorate National Character Counts Week. So, I am pleased that today we are introducing the Strong Character for Strong Schools Act to help expand States' and schools' ability to make character education a central part of every child's education. Our schools may be built with the bricks of English, math and science, but character education certainly is the mortar. This initiative ensures that our children's character, as well as their minds, receives care and nurturing in our schools. Character education means teaching students about such qualities as caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, and other qualities that their community values. Character education provides students a context within which to learn. If we view education simply as the imparting of knowledge to our children, then we will not only miss an opportunity, but will jeopardize our future. Character education isn't a separate subject, but part of a seamless garment of learning.”