National Character Counts Week, 1997

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Part VI

The President

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Proclamation 7043--National Character Counts Week, 1997

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7043 of October 17, 1997

National Character Counts Week, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The roots of America's greatness are embedded in the
character of its citizens. From our Founders' passion
for justice and equality to the social consciousness
and humanitarian spirit of today's citizens, the
character of our people has inspired the world.
Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, our
communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate
the importance of character in our individual lives and
in the life of our country.

Instilling sound character in our children is essential
to maintaining the strength of our Nation into the 21st
century. The core ethical values of trustworthiness,
fairness, responsibility, caring, respect, and
citizenship form the foundation of our democracy, our
economy, and our society. These qualities are not
innate but learned, and we must ensure that we nurture
them--both through our words and our example--in our
Nation's young people.

More than any other institution, the family is the
cradle of character, giving children their first
crucial lessons in attitude and behavior. In today's
complex society, where children are subject to
pressures and negative influences rarely experienced by
earlier generations, parents face great challenges as
they strive to impart to their children the values that
will help them become caring and responsible members of
society.

My Administration has worked hard to give parents new
tools to help them fulfill their important
responsibilities. We worked to require V-chips on all
new televisions to give parents greater control over
what their children watch; we collaborated with the
television industry to encourage the airing of more
educational programming for children; and we negotiated
a breakthrough agreement with the entertainment and
broadcast industries to create a voluntary ratings
system that will help parents identify programs
containing material inappropriate for children. Our
proposed funding for the Anti-Gang and Youth Violence
Strategy will provide for after-school initiatives in
communities across the country to help keep young
people occupied in wholesome activities, off the
streets, and out of trouble while their parents are at
work.

Schools also have an important role in educating our
young people about the difference between right and
wrong. My Administration has recognized this by
creating partnerships with the States to help our
schools do a better job of teaching character to
America's students. Our push for rigorous standards and
our promise to open the doors of college to all
students who work hard let students know that good
character really does count and will be rewarded with
expanded opportunity. We also should encourage and
commend the schools across our country that have begun
to incorporate volunteer service as a curriculum
requirement, teaching students the important life
lessons of sharing, compassion, and civic
responsibility.

Developing strong values in America's children requires
the participation of all our people. As we observe this
special week, I ask that all Americans demonstrate in
their personal and public lives, and teach actively to
our country's children, the high ethical standards that
are essential to good character and to the continued
success of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim October 19 through October
25, 1997, as National Character Counts Week. I call
upon the people of the United States, government
officials, educators, religious, community, and
business leaders, and the States to commemorate this
week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.

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