SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 31
(By Senators Lucht, Dalton, Bailey, Blatnik,
Grubb, Humphreys, Jones, Macnaughtan, Miller,
Plymale, Wagner, Whitlow, Withers and Boley)
Urging all adults and social institutions to become more
consciously involved in the development of the character of
the next generation.
Whereas, The next generation will be the stewards of our
communities, nation and planet in extraordinarily critical times
and the present and future well-being of our society requires an
involved, caring citizenry with good moral character; and
Whereas, People do not automatically develop good moral
character. Conscientious efforts must be made to help young
people develop the values and abilities necessary for moral
decisionmaking and conduct; and
Whereas, Effective character education is based on the core
ethical values which comprise the "six pillars of character" and
form the foundation of democratic society: Trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship; and
Whereas, A national partnership of organizations involved in
the education, training or care of over 25 million young people
have joined in a collaborative effort called the CHARACTER COUNTS
COALITION and have adopted these consensus core ethical values;
and
Whereas, The character and conduct of our youth reflect the
character and conduct of society and every adult has the
responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values and
every social and governmental institution has the responsibility
to promote the development of good character; and
Whereas, Character education is, first and foremost, an
obligation of families. It is also an important obligation of
governmental entities as well as schools, businesses, faith
communities and youth and human service organizations; and
Whereas, Businesses large and small, in the public or
private sector, will benefit from a work force that manifests the
six core ethical values; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate endorses the "six pillars of character",
commends the CHARACTER COUNTS COALITION on its goal to strengthen
the moral fiber of the next generation and urges all citizens to
seek out opportunities to incorporate these core ethical values
into their work with young people in educational programs, in the
classroom, on the playground, campus and athletic field; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Senate encourages all citizens to
model these traits of good character in an ongoing commitment to
promote character development and ethical behavior in the youth
of our state; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to Jozelle Smith, director of
the government ethics center, the Josephson Institute of Ethics.