Norvell Emerson: “I commend the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Smith] for offering the amendment, and I rise in support of it. Mr. Chairman…”

“I commend the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Smith] for offering the amendment, and I rise in support of it. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the amendment by my good friend, Nick Smith of Michigan. The Smith amendment is straightforward and simple, but its effects could be far-reaching. This ``Sense of the Congress'' amendment will suggest 10 principles to be taught to our Nation's children--honesty, integrity, promise-keeping, loyalty, fairness, caring, respect, citizenship, accountability and the pursuit of excellence. Teaching the youth of our country reading, writing, and arithmetic is fundamental to our Nation's future economic success. More fundamental, however, is teaching our young people the difference between right and wrong--teaching them the values of a civilized society. It is no coincidence that Bill Bennett's Book of Virtues is on the bestseller list. People from all ideological spectrums have praised the book, saying that they have bought it themselves to read to their children and grandchildren. The Smith ``Sense of Congress'' will demonstrate that old-fashioned, commonsense values are vital components of education. John Locke wrote, ``Virtue is harder to be got than knowledge of the world; and, if lost in a young man, is seldom recovered.'' The Smith amendment is a simple way for Congress to show school districts, teachers, and parents that virtue is to be gotten and not lost in each and every young person.…”