Proclamation American CharacterPROCI AMATION
WHEREAS, September 1'1, 2002 will be the first anniversary of unprecedented terrorist
attacks resulting in momentous losses; and
WHEREAS,
the anniversary of tragedy is also an anniversary of triumph, a triumph of
character - courage over cowardice, kindness over cruelty, service over
selfishness, responsibility over indifference, love over hate, hope over fear and
freedom over repression; and
WHEREAS,
we should demonstrate our respect for the victims of this terrible day by
commemorating the lives lost and damaged, but we should also honor and
celebrate the countless acts of courage, compassion, loyalty, responsibility and
other qualities that represent the best in human nature and the American
character; and
WHEREAS,
we should remember september 11th not only as a day of great misfortune, but
as a reminder of the great fortune we possess in the character of our people and
in living in a country where character counts; and
WHEREAS, it should also be a day of action devoted to community service, an element of
good citizenship and an expression of good character. Community Service
improves neighborhoods, eases sufferings and reduces injustice while
enhancing the lives and strengthening the characters of those who render it.
NOW THEREFORE, I, TERRANCE M. DUGGAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2002
AS:
"AMERICAN CHARACTER WEEK"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA AND CALL UPON GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND
INDIVIDUALS TO DISCUSS AND ENCOURAGE ACTS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City
of Dubuque, Iowa to be affixed this Ist day of
July, 2002.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
A Proclamation to Celebrate the American Character
1. September 11, 2002, will be the first anniversary of unprecedented terrorist
attacks resulting in a momentous loss of life and property.
2. The terrorists hoped to bring Americans to their knees. Instead, they brought
Americans to their feet. The terrorists hoped to demoralize and intimidate
Americans and undermine their way of life. Instead, Americans became more
resolute in their commitment to cherished democratic and humanitarian principles
that form the moral foundation of this nation.
3. This anniversary of tragedy is also an anniversary of triumph, a triumph of
character -- courage over cowardice, kindness over cruelty, service over
selfishness, responsibility over indifference, love over hate, hope over fear, and
freedom over repression.
4. We should demonstrate our respect for the victims of this terrible day by
commemorating the lives lost and damaged, but we should also honor and
celebrate the countless acts of courage, compassion, loyalty, responsibility and
other qualities that represent the best in human nature and the American
character.
5. We should remember September 11th not only as a day of great misfortune, but
as a reminder of the great fortune we possess in the character of our people and
in living in a country where character counts.
6. it should be a day of reflection and education involving activities that strengthen
appreciation of and dedication to the core ethical values that constitute the pillars
of the American character, such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility,
fairness, caring and good citizenship.
7. It should also be a day of action devoted to community service, an element of
good citizenship and an expression of good character. Community service
improves neighborhoods, eases suffering and reduces injustice while enhancing
the lives and strengthening the characters of those who render it.
8. Community service is also a matter of national policy expressed in President
George W. Bush's call for all Americans to give at least 4,000 hours of service
and in The Spirit of America Act seeking to assure that the lives lost on
September 11th are commemorated by acts of volunteer service.
THEREFORE, be it resolved that .[name of organization]
proclaims the period commencing September 6, 2002 and ending September 14,
2002 as "American Character Week" and calls upon schools, youth organizations,
community groups and government agencies to use this period to:
1) Discuss and study the lives of Americans of extraordinary character.
2) Recognize local individuals who have in the past year demonstrated the
highest qualities of the American character.
3) Teach young people about and encourage them to consider careers in
public service.
4) Provide service-learning opportunities to young people, including at least
one hour of service during this period, as a first step in a commitment to a
life of regular community service.
Page 1 of 2
From: "American Character Week"
To: <jschneid~citTofdubuque.org>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 12:03 AM
Attach: Proclamation - Amedcan Character.doc
Subject: Sept 11 - American Character Week
Dear Council Member,
I am writing to inform you of and ask your support for a major national initiative
to commemorate the first anniversary of the September 1 lth attacks by recognizing
September 6 - 14, 2002 as "American Character Week".
The initiative is sponsored by the Leadership Council of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition,
a nonprofit, nonpartisan partnership of more than 500 organizations including many of the
nation's most influential educational and youth-serving organizations such as: YMCA, Boys
and Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, Little League, American Association of School
Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American
Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association as well as the International
Association of Chiefs of Police. Please learn more about us at www. charactercounts.org.
Our goal is to provide millions of youngsters in schools and extra curricular programs
with an opportunity to learn about the nature of the American character at its best, to
eelebmte and honor American heroes, including the brave tirefighters, police officers
and rescue workers who lost their lives trying to help others, and to encourage youth to
learn about and consider careers in public service.
As stated in the attached Proclamation, we think "we should demonstrate our respect for
the victima of this terrible day by commemorating the lives lost and damaged but we should
also honor and celebrate the countless acts of courage, compassion, loyalty, responsibility
and other qualities that represent the best in human nature and the American character."
We want to remind the nation that this anniversary of tragedy is also an anniversary of
triumph, a triumph of character -- courage over cowardice, kindness over cruelty, service
over selfishness, responsibility over indifference, love over hate, hope over fear, and
freedom over repression.
American Character Week will be a period of reflection and education involving activities
that strengthen appreciation of and dedication to the core ethical values that constitute
pillars of the American character. It should also be a time of action devoted to community
service.
Specifically, we are asking you to lend your support to the thousands of schools and youth
organizations mobilized by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition to celebrate this week in the
following ways:
1. Inform us in writing that you personally endorse the attached Proclamation.
2. Urge your community to formally adopt the attached Proclamation. We will
be posting on our website the list of community endorsers.
3. Through your written communications and speeches, inform your constituents of your
6/24/2002
Page 2 of 2
endorsement and encourage them to participate fully in commemorating American Character Week.
In the coming weeks we will be making available a vast army of resources including suggestions
of appropriate activities as well as community service projects for students, materials on
service learning and much more. We will also have artwork for banners, posters, and buttons.
All of this will be placed on our web site www.chamctercounts.org and may be downloaded for
fi~ee. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to make this a powerful event.
As we will be coordinating media coverage of the week, it would help us greatly if you
designate a member of your smffto comm~micate with us so we can properly describe your
participation.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Josephson
President
CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition and Josephson Institute of Ethics
6/24/2002