Pete Domenici: “I rise today to support, with my friend Senator Dodd this resolution regarding National Character Counts Week. Our…”

“I rise today to support, with my friend Senator Dodd this resolution regarding National Character Counts Week. Our resolution says the week of October 17th of this year will be known across the country as National Character Counts Week. Nearly a century ago President Theodore Roosevelt said the following about character: Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. I submit that character truly does transcend time as well as religious, cultural, political, and socio-economic barriers. I believe our country is having a renewed focus on character and this sends a wonderful message to Americans, and will help those of us involved in character education reinvigorate our efforts to get communities and schools involved. I say that because a number of years ago we started this approach to character education called 'character counts.' Senators Nunn, Dodd and I first submitted the resolution that has now passed the Senate on innumerable occasions. The resolution simply declares that for all of America, one week during the year will be known as National Character Counts Week. Frankly, we hear a lot about how we should help our young people growing up in this often difficult society. However, I believe the key is finding those ideas and programs that work.”