ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 34

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblywoman CRECCO

A Concurrent Resolution to establish National Character Counts Week in New Jersey.

Whereas, Young people will be the stewards of our communities, State, Nation, and world in critical times, and the present and future well-being of our society requires an involved, caring citizenry with good character; and

Whereas, Concerns about the character training of children have taken on a new sense of urgency as violence by and against youth threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the State and Nation; and

Whereas, More than ever, children need strong and constructive guidance from their families and their communities, including schools, youth organizations, religious institutions and civic groups; and

Whereas, The character of a state and nation is only as strong as the character of its individual citizens; and

Whereas, The public good is advanced when young people are taught the importance of good character, and that character counts in personal relationships, in school, and in the workplace; and

Whereas, Scholars and educators agree that people do not automatically develop good character and, therefore, conscientious efforts must be made by youth-influencing institutions and individuals to help young people develop the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good character; and

Whereas, Character development is, first and foremost, an obligation of families, efforts by faith communities, schools, and youth, civic and human service organizations, also play a very important role in supporting family efforts by fostering and promoting good character; and

Whereas, The State Legislature encourages students, teachers, parents, youth and community leaders to recognize the valuable role our youth play in the present and future of our State and Nation, and to recognize that character is an important part of that future; and

Whereas, In July 1992, the Aspen Declaration was written by an eminent group of educators, youth leaders and ethics scholars for the purpose of articulating a coherent framework for character education appropriate to a diverse and pluralistic society; and

Whereas, The Aspen Declaration states that "Effective character education is based on core ethical values which form the foundation of democratic society"; and

Whereas, The core ethical values identified by the Aspen Declaration transcend cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences; and

Whereas, These Six Core Elements of Character are: trustworthiness; respect; responsibility; justice and fairness; caring; and civic virtue and citizenship; and

Whereas, The Aspen Declaration states that "The character and conduct of our youth reflect the character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has the responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values and every social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good character"; and

Whereas, The State Legislature encourages individuals and organizations, especially those who have an interest in the education and training of our youth, to adopt these Six Core Elements of Character as intrinsic to the well-being of individuals, communities, and society as a whole; and

Whereas, The State Legislature encourages communities, especially schools an youth organizations, to integrate these Six Core Elements of Character into programs serving students and children; now, therefore

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

    1. The Week of October 16 through October 22, 1994, is designated as "National Character Counts Week," and the Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the State of New Jersey and interested groups to embrace these Six Core Elements of Character and to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

STATEMENT

    This concurrent resolution would establish National Character Counts Week in the State during the week of October 16 through October 22, 1994 and would request the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of New Jersey to commemorate the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Establishes National Character Counts Week in New Jersey.