WHEREAS, National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, focuses public attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors within the United States school system; and

WHEREAS, This special week honors school counselors, employed in the public and private schools, who help students reach their full potential; and

WHEREAS, School counselors are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development; and

WHEREAS, They work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world, focusing on ways to further the educational, personal and social growth of their children; and

WHEREAS, School counselors collaborate with teachers and other educators to find positive ways to enhance the educational system in a way that helps students to realize their full potential; and they inspire respect, trust and confidence from their students; and

WHEREAS, Another facet of the job is seeking to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs enabling students to become productive members of society; and

WHEREAS, These dedicated professionals are an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations supports, recognizes and applauds school counselors' efforts as they guide young people through a critical period in their lives and hereby proclaim February 4-8 to be "National School Counseling Week" in the state of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Kevin Quinn.