National Character Counts Week, 2000

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Part VI

The President

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Proclamation 7365--National Character Counts Week, 2000

Proclamation 7366--National Forest Products Week, 2000

Proclamation 7367--White Cane Safety Day, 2000

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7365 of October 14, 2000

National Character Counts Week, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The term ``character'' is derived from an ancient Greek
word meaning ``to inscribe,'' reflecting the conviction
that character is not innate, but rather is instilled
through the influence, example, and guidance of the
people around us. One of our greatest responsibilities
as adults and citizens, therefore, is to ensure that we
teach our children, by word and deed, the values that
will help them develop into men and women of strong
character.

This vital endeavor begins with the family and
particularly with parents, who are their children's
first teachers. The process continues in our schools--
not only in the classroom, but also in the hallways, in
the cafeteria, and on the playing field. We have many
opportunities to instill in our children the elements
of good character--citizenship, fairness, compassion,
honesty, tolerance, and responsibility--and it is up to
every citizen and organization to make the most of
these opportunities.

My Administration has strived to assist parents,
caregivers, teachers, and religious and community
leaders in this vital effort. We have worked with the
entertainment industry to increase educational
programming on television and to create a voluntary
ratings system to help parents reinforce the values
they want to impart to their children. And 4 years ago,
I was proud to sign legislation that requires new
televisions sold in our country to include the V-chip,
a device that allows parents to control the programs
that their children watch on television. Recognizing
the significant amount of time our children spend in
school, we have also created partnerships with States
under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to
assist school districts in developing curriculum
materials, providing teacher training, and integrating
character education into the curriculum. We have funded
innovative after-school programs to offer young people
mentors and role models to inspire them and to engage
them in productive activities at the end of the school
day.

We have also promoted citizen service--one of the
greatest character-building tools available to our
society. Through initiatives such as America Reads, the
Corporation for National and Community Service, the
National Senior Service Corps, the Peace Corps, and
AmeriCorps, Americans of every age, background, gender,
and race are experiencing the rewards of helping
others, and in the process becoming more responsible
citizens. We can also teach young Americans a vital
lesson about character by exercising our right to vote
and participating in the democratic process--a process
that Americans of notable character established more
than two centuries ago.

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 15 through October
21, 2000, as National Character Counts Week. I call
upon the people of the United States, government
officials, educators, religious, community, and
business leaders to commemorate this week with
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

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