SJR 90

SJR90 192571-2 By Senator Marsh RFD: Rules First Read: 06-MAR-18 SJR90 SJR90 ENROLLED, SJR90, ALABAMA, THE STATE OF CHARACTER. WHEREAS, in 1995, the Legislature acknowledged our nation's history and the importance of teaching and promoting character principles in order to develop a successful workforce and citizenry by including the Alabama Character Education Mandate in the Education Reform Act of that year (Act 95-313), requiring public schools to teach all students haracter traits for no less than 10 minutes each day; and WHEREAS, the people of Alabama recognized the importance of citizens with honorable character qualities based upon the moral standards upon which our nation and legal system are established; and WHEREAS, we desire to build upon our heritage in making Alabama a place where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, business is productive, neighbors care about one another, and citizens are free to make wise choices for their lives and families; and WHEREAS, we recognize that individuals are responsible for their actions and that daily decisions should be based upon sound timeless values that are the basis of SJR90 universally recognized character qualities, including kindness, courage, loyalty, diligence, generosity, truthfulness, honesty, and obedience; and WHEREAS, irresponsibility and a lack of commitment to these values have resulted in an increasing number of family problems causing personal, social, and financial consequences to individual family members and to society as a whole; and WHEREAS, when people fail to demonstrate positive character qualities or make poor moral choices, the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens are endangered, resulting in financial burden upon the taxpayers for the costs of lower productivity and increased social services and law enforcement; many current societal problems will be alleviated when citizens live by positive and constructive character qualities that distinguish between right and wrong, and it has been shown that teaching and reinforcing positive character qualities to juvenile delinquents produces a change of behavior, reducing recidivism rates; and WHEREAS, our prisons far exceed planned capacity and there is a need for more positive role models among our young people to discourage juvenile delinquency and for these individuals to understand those qualities that have made our country strong and prosperous; and SJR90 WHEREAS, our schools should be safe climates in which character is exemplified, taught, and strengthened, and learning is encouraged; and WHEREAS, encouraging employees by recognizing positive character qualities has resulted in an increase in workplace morale, employee safety, and corporate profits; such action is essential as Alabama competes for 21st Century jobs with states in which character is emphasized; and WHEREAS, presidents throughout our nation's history have promoted character principles and have encouraged character education as a high priority for America's schools; many other highly regarded civic leaders have extolled character as among the qualities by which all people should be judged; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Legislature must deal with the challenge of allocating and stretching very limited resources very far, because of education and social needs; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Legislature has repeatedly appealed for the promotion of character-building strategies through its approval of "Alabama, a State of Character" resolutions in 2000, 2005, 2008, and 2014, and the Alabama House of Representatives in 2011; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Legislature again appeals for character-building strategies to be promoted in a collaborative way by partners, and we, as Alabama lawmakers, SJR90 again appeal for there to be creative efforts to support and promote practical and affordable strategies for this state which will help Alabama to take the lead with the "States of Character" movement; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we reaffirm our 2000, 2005, 2008, and 2014 declarations of Alabama as a State of Character, and appeal to partners to collaborate when developing and supporting the implementation of character building strategies. We pledge to do all in our power to promote this Alabama, The State of Character resolution and character education in our schools, businesses, homes, churches, local governments, state agencies, media, and community groups, and we urge leaders of each of these areas to do likewise. SJR90 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives SJR90 Senate 15-MAR-18 I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution originated in and was adopted by the Senate. Patrick Harris, Secretary. House of Representatives Adopted: 21-MAR-18 By: Senator Marsh