Expressing support for designation of the week of February 1, 2021, through February 5, 2021, as "National School Counseling Week".

IA 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 22 Expressing support for designation of the week of February 1, 2021, through February 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 28, 2021 Ms. SA´NCHEZ (for herself, Mrs. HAYES, Mr. CA´RDENAS, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. SCANLON, Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. NORTON, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. PANETTA, Mr. HAS- TINGS, Ms. WEXTON, Mr. TRONE, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, and Mr. CLEAVER) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor JOINT RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of the week of February 1, 2021, through February 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’. Whereas the American School Counselor Association has des- ignated the week of February 1, 2021, through February 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the edu- cation system of the United States must provide equi- table opportunities for all students; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:39 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HJ22.IH HJ22 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HJ 22 IH Whereas school counselors have long emphasized the impor- tance of personal and social development in contributing to academic achievement; Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding them through their academic, social-emotional, and career development; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are college and career ready and aware of finan- cial aid and college opportunities; Whereas school counselors may encourage students to pursue challenging academic courses to prepare them for college majors and careers in the science, technology, engineer- ing, and mathematics fields; Whereas school counselors provide support for students whose family members have been deployed to conflicts overseas; Whereas school counselors help students cope with serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems, and problems in the home; Whereas school counselors are also instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents cope with trauma and community and national tragedies; Whereas school counselors are among the few professionals in a school building that are trained in both education and social and emotional development; Whereas despite the important contributions of school coun- selors to student success, counseling positions are not al- ways protected when local budgets are cut, especially in tough economic times; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:39 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HJ22.IH HJ22 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HJ 22 IH Whereas the average student-to-counselor ratio in the Na- tion’s public schools, 430-to-1, is almost double the 250- to-1 ratio recommended by the American School Coun- selor Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations; Whereas the celebration of ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’ would increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of stu- dents in the United States; and Whereas the week of February 1, 2021, through February 5, 2021, would be an appropriate week to designate as ‘‘Na- tional School Counseling Week’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 1 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 That Congress— 3 (1) honors and recognizes the contributions of 4 school counselors to the success of students in the 5 Nation’s elementary and secondary schools; and 6 (2) encourages the people of the United States 7 to observe ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’ with 8 appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote 9 awareness of the crucial role school counselors play 10 in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contrib- 11 uting members of society. 12 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:39 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HJ22.IH HJ22 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS