A resolution designating the week of February 1 through 5, 2021, as "National School Counseling Week".

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 90 Designating the week of February 1 through 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 3, 2021 Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. HASSAN, Ms. STABE- NOW, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. KING, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. BROWN, Mr. HEINRICH, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. PETERS, and Ms. ROSEN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 1 through 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’. Whereas school counselors are more important now than ever, as the COVID–19 pandemic has magnified the mental health crisis among the youth of our Nation; Whereas the American School Counselor Association has des- ignated February 1 through 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; Whereas school counselors have long advocated for equitable opportunities for all students; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR90.ATS SR90 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 90 ATS Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic learning, social and emotional development, and career exploration; Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to in- creased academic achievement; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for both college and careers; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making stu- dents aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships; Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer learning environment for all students; Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trau- ma as well as tragedies in their communities and the United States; Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deploy- ment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence; Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and so- cial and emotional development; Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood; Whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints; Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is 430 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR90.ATS SR90 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 90 ATS recommended by the American School Counselor Associa- tion, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations; and Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week will increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates the week of February 1 through 2 5, 2021, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; 3 and 4 (2) encourages the people of the United States 5 to observe National School Counseling Week with 6 appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote 7 awareness of the role school counselors play in 8 schools and the community at large in preparing 9 students for fulfilling lives as contributing members 10 of society. 11 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR90.ATS SR90 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS