National Character Counts Week, 1994

[[Page Unknown]]

Proclamation 6743 of October 14, 1994

National Character Counts Week, 1994

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our concern about character and ethics is one of the
great strengths of our Nation. In 1994, America
celebrates the continuing creation of and support for
programs that, by definition, are character-building--
from our proud military units and law enforcement
groups to our new National Service program, AmeriCorps.
As we seek to instill important values in a new
generation of Americans, we must redouble our efforts
to improve student learning, responsibility, and sense
of belonging. We must revitalize the American ideal of
community if our schools are to achieve their full
potential. Adults, children, teachers--all of us must
set an example. All of us can make a new beginning.

Schools need to emphasize the fundamentals: building
character and creating a stronger sense of self-worth.
The process of building moral values begins with the
family, and we must all aid parents by demonstrating to
our young people that hard work, honesty, and
responsibility are essential in all of our endeavors.
Passage of the ``Goals 2000: Educate America Act''
will, in the years ahead, give parents, teachers, and
concerned citizens in every local school district the
opportunity to come together to define what they want
their schools to achieve for their children, not just
through high academic standards, but also through
setting high standards of compassion, understanding,
and community involvement. New civic standards
addressing the entire community, in addition to
voluntary national standards, will serve as catalysts
in this process, helping to better educate students to
be more responsible citizens in the years to come.

To recognize the importance of character and to focus
national attention on character building, the Congress,
by Public Law 103-301, has designated October 16
through October 22, 1994, as ``National Character
Counts Week'' and has authorized and requested the
President to issue a proclamation in observance of this
commemoration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 16
through October 22, 1994 as National Character Counts
Week. I call upon the people of the United States,
government officials, educators, and volunteers, to
observe this week with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and nineteenth.

(Presidential Sig.)>