SJR61 Summary

• Reaffirms Alabama's 2000, 2005, and 2008 declarations designating Alabama as "The State of Character" and appeals to partners to collaborate on character-building strategies

• References the 1995 Alabama Character Education Mandate requiring public schools to teach 26 character traits for at least 10 minutes daily to develop workforce and citizenry

• Identifies core character qualities including kindness, courage, loyalty, diligence, generosity, truthfulness, honesty, and obedience as universal values for addressing societal problems

• Pledges to promote character education across schools, businesses, homes, churches, local governments, state agencies, and media and community groups to help Alabama lead the "States of Character" movement

• Senate adopted March 18, 2014; House adopted March 19, 2014