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 and provides recognition for those counselors who "implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century"; and

WHEREAS, School counselors must possess high physical and emotional energy; they work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; they 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, These dedicated professionals devote their careers to helping students plan for the future and reach their goals; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives 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 Peter McWalters, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the state of Rhode Island.