119th Congress (2025-2026)
SRES 452
A resolution designating the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "National Character Counts Week".
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Bill overview
This resolution officially designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as ‘National Character Counts Week’. The resolution highlights the importance of character education for young people and encourages various groups – including families, schools, and community organizations – to promote positive character traits like trustworthiness and respect. It aims to raise awareness about the role of character in building a strong society.
Key provisions
- Designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as National Character Counts Week.
- Calls upon the public to embrace character education.
- Encourages schools, communities, and organizations to promote character traits.
- Identifies specific character traits to focus on (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship).
- Recognizes the role of families, schools, and communities in character development.
- Acknowledges that character development is primarily a family responsibility.
- Encourages the integration of community values into teaching activities.
- Promotes the development of good character across all social institutions.
Who is affected
- Students
- Teachers
- Parents
- Youth organizations
- Schools
Notable changes
- Establishes a designated week for character education.
- Formalizes recognition of character education's importance.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Chuck Grassley
SenateIARepublican
Cosponsors
Amy Klobuchar
SenateMNDemocrat
Ben Ray Luján
SenateNMDemocrat
Elizabeth Warren
SenateMADemocrat
James Lankford
SenateOKRepublican
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
S. RES. 452
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
RESOLUTION
Designating the week beginning October 19, 2025, as National Character Counts Week
.
Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that the young people of the United States become an involved, caring citizenry of good character;
Whereas the character education of children has become more urgent, as violence by and against youth increasingly threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the people of the United States;
Whereas, more than ever, children need strong and constructive guidance from their families and their communities, including from schools, youth organizations, religious institutions, and civic groups;
Whereas the character of a nation is only as strong as the character of its individual citizens;
Whereas the public good is advanced when young individuals are taught the importance of good character and the positive effects that good character can have in personal relationships, in school, and in the workplace;
Whereas scholars and educators agree that individuals do not automatically develop good character and that, therefore, institutions and individuals that influence youth must make conscientious efforts to help young individuals develop the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good character;
Whereas, although character development is, first and foremost, an obligation of families, the efforts of faith communities, schools, and youth, civic, and human service organizations also play an important role in fostering and promoting good character;
Whereas Congress encourages students, teachers, parents, youth, and community leaders to recognize the importance of character education in preparing young individuals to play a role in determining the future of the United States;
Whereas effective character education is based on core ethical values, which form the foundation of a democratic society;
Whereas examples of character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
Whereas elements of character transcend cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences;
Whereas the character and conduct of youth reflect the character and conduct of society, and, therefore, every adult has the responsibility to teach and model ethical values and every social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good character;
Whereas Congress encourages individuals and organizations, especially those that have an interest in the education and training of the young individuals in the United States, to adopt the elements of character, which are intrinsic to the well-being of individuals, communities, and society;
Whereas many schools in the United States recognize the need, and have taken steps, to integrate the values of their communities into teaching activities; and
Whereas the establishment of
National Character Counts Week, during which individuals, families, schools, youth organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and other organizations focus on character education, is of great benefit to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as
National Character Counts Week; and
(2)calls upon the people of the United States and interested groups—
(A)to embrace the elements of character identified by local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship; and
(B)to observe National Character Counts Week with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.