RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of fifteen (15) members: four (4) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party to be appointed by the speaker; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers, to be appointed by the federation president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of NEARI, to be appointed by the association president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, to be appointed by the association president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of School Superintendents, to be appointed by the association president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, to be appointed by the association president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Parent Teacher Association, to be appointed by the association president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the National Council of Christians and Jews, to be appointed by the council president; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the N.A.A.C.P., to be appointed by its executive director; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of Progresso Latino, to be appointed by its executive director; one (1) of whom shall be the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee; and one (1) of whom shall be the commissioner of the Department of Higher Education, or designee.

In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

The purpose of said commission shall be to study the inclusion of ethics and character development education as part of the regular curriculum in public education.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house and organize and shall select from among the legislators a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

The speaker of the house is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for the commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the house of representatives on or before April 9, 1997 and said commission shall expire on June 9, 1997.