Q: What is Character Counts Week?
A: For nearly three decades, I’ve supported passage of a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. Senate to commemorate the third week of October as Character Counts Week to celebrate virtues that strengthen our society. As Americans, we must pull together and live up to the origins of our nation’s founding. I often hear concerns from Iowans about growing divisions in America that prevent people from seeing eye to eye. We need to remember that Americans are united by a common identity. Unlike other countries around the world, America was founded on an idea that each of us is created equally and we are called to live up to the ideals of our national character. These fundamental truths come to life in communities across the country where civic pride and civic engagement are forged among neighbors helping neighbors. For example, every harvest season, we hear about Iowans pitching in to help get the crops out if an unexpected illness or death puts a farm family in a tough spot. Communities hold pancake feeds, bake sales and silent auctions to raise money for their volunteer fire departments or for a local family facing tough times.
During my 99 county meetings, I have the privilege to visit schools every year across our state. During my Q&A with students, I encourage our future leaders to get involved in their schools, extra-curricular activities, service clubs and volunteer opportunities in the community. From a young age, it’s important to appreciate the power of making a difference, one person at time. Taking on civic responsibility paves the way to becoming good neighbors and productive contributors in society. Celebrating Character Counts Week provides a good opportunity for families, sports fans, educators, employers and civic leaders to model the pillars of good character and commit ourselves as Americans to practice the Golden Rule. From road rage to rising crime, lawlessness at the southern border and terrorism in Israel, it is more important than ever to instill the basics of good character and practice them at home, in school and throughout the community.
Q: How can Iowans celebrate Character Counts Week?
A: My bipartisan Senate Resolution calls upon Americans to embrace the elements of character in everyday life, such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. These character traits reflect what it takes to build stronger families and healthy communities, cornerstones of peace and prosperity that are handed down from one generation to the next. Character Counts Week is a good opportunity to remind ourselves to be good neighbors and good citizens. Don’t forget, America’s motto was recommended on the day our Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 1776 – E pluribus unum: Out of many, one. The character of a nation is only as strong as its individual citizens.
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University is the global headquarters for the Character Counts! project that serves more than eight million people around the world in school and community-based programs. Its mission focuses on fostering strong, vibrant communities and positive cultures at school, sports and the workplace. Thousands of educators across Iowa have adapted its flexible framework cultivated through research-based strategies to implement character education and training. The guidance is designed to help parents, teachers and coaches strengthen good character, resiliency and academic achievement among the next generation.
The Character Counts! project invites Iowans to nominate individuals, organizations or companies for its annual character awards. Recipients are honored at an awards ceremony in the summer and featured in a one-hour video presentation highlighting their nomination, as well as a second award ceremony in their hometown. I was pleased to join the presentation in Atlantic last October when the Southwest Iowa Planning Councilwas recognized for receiving the Iowa Business/Organization Character Award. To make a nomination for 2024 and see previous recipients, visit the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center website.