The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, home of CHARACTER COUNTS!, is proud to declare October 20–26, 2019 as National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week.
This annual recognition, dating to 1993, was initially created and continues to be bolstered by the United States Senate’s passage of a joint resolution declaring the third full week in October National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week. The bipartisan Senate resolution was introduced by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and co-sponsored by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY).
“We’re pleased that the Senate has again passed a bipartisan resolution to encourage Americans to celebrate CHARACTER COUNTS! and practice the Six Pillars of Character,” said Scott Raecker, executive director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University.
Senate Resolution 358, which passed by unanimous consent, calls upon the people of the United States and interested groups “to embrace the elements of character identified by local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Proclamation declaring CHARACTER COUNTS! Week in Iowa. “Every Iowa Governor in the last 22 years has issued a proclamation encouraging Iowans to embrace and practice good character. The most significant thing this week, and every week is for families, schools and community leaders to continue to focus on good character,” said Raecker.
CHARACTER COUNTS! is the nation’s most popular and effective school and community-based character education and student development program with outreach to over eight million youth.
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center provides character and leadership development strategies to improve civility and develop ethical leaders throughout the world. The Ray Center will continue to transform lives and strengthen communities with proactive programming and events to make a positive impact.
The Ray Center honors two of Drake’s most respected alumni—Robert D. and Billie Ray—whose humanitarian efforts, character and leadership set an inspirational example for multiple generations.