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SJR 90 - Enrolled - PDF
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
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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
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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,
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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.
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President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
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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