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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR B. Sanchez

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

02/22/07

HB

SHORT TITLE “Character Counts Day"

SM 36

ANALYST Hanika Ortiz

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Memorial 36 requests that the six pillars of character as defined in the bill be endorsed

through this memorial; that all state and local government employees incorporate these values into

their work; that all citizens model these traits of good character; and, provides for “Character Counts

Day" in the New Mexico State Senate.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

NFI.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The memorial provides for the following:

•

Young people will be the stewards of our communities, nation and world in critical times,

and the present and future well-being of our society requires an involved, caring citizenry

with good character.

•

Concerns about the character training of children have taken on a new sense of urgency as

violence by and against youth threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the

nation.

•

More than ever, children need strong and constructive guidance from their families and their

communities, including schools, youth organizations, religious institutions and civic groups.

Senate Memorial 36 – Page

2

•

The character of a nation is only as strong as the character of its individual citizens, and the

public good is advanced when young people are taught that good character counts in personal

relationships, in school and in the workplace.

•

Scholars and educators agree that people do not automatically develop good character and;

therefore, conscientious efforts must be made by youth-influencing institutions and

individuals to help young people develop the essential traits and characteristics that constitute

good character.

•

Character development is, first and foremost, an obligation of families, but efforts by faith

communities, schools and youth, civic and human service organizations also play a very

important role in supporting families by fostering and promoting good character.

•

In July 1992, the Aspen declaration was written by an eminent group of educators, youth

leaders and ethics scholars for the purpose of articulating a coherent framework for character

education appropriate to diverse and pluralistic society.

•

The Aspen Declaration states that “effective character education is based on core ethical

values which form the foundation of democratic society"; trustworthiness, respects,

responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship are six pillars of character that transcend

cultural, religious and socioeconomic difficulties.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

If passed, the New Mexico State Senate will declare Thursday, March 15, 2007, as “Character

Counts Day" in the Senate with copies of the memorial transmitted to the Governor and the New

Mexico Municipal League for distribution.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The memorial further resolves that all state and local government employees be urged to seek out

opportunities to incorporate these core ethical values into their work with young people in park and

recreation activities, child care programs, community events and intern and employee training; and,

that all citizens be encouraged to model these traits of good character in an ongoing commitment to

promote character development and ethical behavior in the youth of our community.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

In July 1992, the Josephson Institute of Ethics hosted a summit conference in Aspen, Colorado.

A diverse group of ethicists, educators and youth-service professionals convened to find ways to

work together and boost their character-education efforts. The declaration that concluded this

meeting would form the intellectual foundation for the CHARACTER COUNTS! movement,

started by the Institute the following year.

QUESTIONS

How many Character Counts programs are within the State.

Is the Character Counts program a Christian-based faith organization.

AHO/mt