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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The well-being of the State of Illinois requires
3 that the young people of this State become an involved, caring
4 citizenry with good character; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The character education of children has become
6 more urgent as violence by and against youth increasingly
7 threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the
8 people of this State; and
 
9     WHEREAS, More than ever, children need strong and
10 constructive guidance from their families and their
11 communities, including schools, youth organizations, religious
12 institutions, and civic groups; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The character of a nation is only as strong as the
14 character of its individual citizens; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The public good is advanced when young people are
16 taught the importance of good character and the positive
17 effects that good character can have in personal relationships,
18 school, and the workplace; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Scholars and educators agree that people do not
20 automatically develop good character; therefore, conscientious

 

 

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1 efforts must be made by institutions and individuals that
2 influence youth to help young people develop the essential
3 traits and characteristics that comprise good character; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Although character development is, first and
5 foremost, an obligation of families, the efforts of faith
6 communities, schools, and youth, civic, and human service
7 organizations also play an important role in fostering and
8 promoting good character; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Effective character education is based on core
10 ethical values, which form the foundation of democratic
11 society; examples of character are trustworthiness, respect,
12 responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
13 elements of character transcend cultural, religious, and
14 socioeconomic differences; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The character and conduct of our youth reflect the
16 character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has
17 the responsibility to teach and model ethical values and every
18 social institution has the responsibility to promote the
19 development of good character; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Many schools in this State recognize the need, and
21 have taken steps, to integrate the values of their communities
22 into their teaching activities; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, The establishment of Character Counts Week,
2 during which individuals, families, schools, youth
3 organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and other
4 organizations focus on character education, is of great benefit
5 to this State; therefore, be it
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
8 encourage students, teachers, parents, youth, and community
9 leaders to recognize the importance of character education in
10 preparing young people to play a role in determining the future
11 of this State; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That we encourage individuals and organizations,
13 especially those who have an interest in the education and
14 training of the young people of this State, to adopt the
15 elements of character as intrinsic to the wellbeing of
16 individuals, communities, and our society; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That we designate the third week of October in
18 2009 as "Character Counts Week" in the State of Illinois; and
19 be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That we call upon the people of the State of
21 Illinois and interested groups to embrace the elements of

 

 

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1 character identified by local schools and communities, such as
2 trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring,
3 and citizenship, and to observe the week with appropriate
4 ceremonies, programs, and activities.