Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Senate President Pro Tempore
“National Character Counts Week”
Monday, October 20, 2025
Since 1993, Congress has adopted a resolution to recognize this third week of October as National Character Counts Week. And, of course, we’re in that week right now.
As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I’m proud to sponsor the resolution and share that the global headquarters for the Character Counts! organization is located in my home state. The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center is located at Drake University. By the way, Bob Ray was Iowa’s governor for 14 years.
So, the location in Des Moines makes perfect sense to me because Iowa’s values align with the six pillars of character promoted by the National Character Counts! organization.
These include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Throughout my public service, I strive to improve civic engagement and bridge divisions through respectful dialogue. Part of that effort includes my annual 99 county meetings, where I meet with Iowans face-to-face. No topic is off limit[s], and Iowans set the agenda.
Each year, the Drake University Ray Center celebrates [the] Iowa Character Awards to recognize those who embody civic values.
The people of Spencer, Iowa will receive the Community Character Award of 2025 in recognition of their efforts to recover from devastating floods in the summer of last year.
Like the courageous first responders from 9/11, emergency response teams from across Northwest Iowa pitched in to help the people of Spencer.
They didn’t stop to consider creed, race, gender or political affiliation. They were only concerned about those who had the needs caused by the devastating floods.
So they simply rolled up their sleeves. They simply pulled together. Neighbors helping neighbor[s]. And, of course, that’s the Iowa way.
History tells us how important it is for elected leaders to govern by virtue.
At the Virginia Ratifying Convention, debating whether or not Virginia should ratify the new Constitution, James Madison said, “to suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.”
The American people who elected us are counting on us to live by those standards.
National Character Counts Week is a good time to do what is right.
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