Opening Statement of Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon
Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce
“The First Tee and Schools:
Working to Build Character Education”

June 28, 2006

Good morning, and I thank my colleagues on the Committee for joining me at this unique and important hearing. I welcome each of our witnesses and applaud them for the work they do to build character education in our nation’s youth. And I extend a special welcome back to Mr. Jack Nicklaus, who testified before our Committee four years ago. It’s always a pleasure to have him here, and it goes without saying that we’re honored to be joined by a living legend.

This morning’s hearing focuses on character education and the work organizations and schools are doing to build character in U.S. students. Far too many children throughout the United States face difficult circumstances. Broken homes, poverty, drugs, alcohol, and violence are everyday factors confronted by many of today’s youth. And character education plays a valuable role in instilling values to help them overcome these obstacles.

One organization which has built a solid reputation of instilling positive values through character education is The First Tee, which Mr. Nicklaus will be discussing shortly. The First Tee is a youth character building organization that provides young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through both the game of golf and character education, values and character traits that will positively impact their lives.

I am a golfer myself, so I might be biased in saying this. But I truly believe that no activity better parallels life and teaches character than the game of golf. On the golf course, you learn responsibility, honesty, patience, self-control, integrity, respect, confidence, and sportsmanship. You learn that a short putt is just as important as a long drive, and that you must put the last shot behind you in order to execute the next. The First Tee emphasizes these fine points for countless young Americans, and I commend the organization for its ongoing good work. At this time, I’d like to recognize and welcome two recent high school graduates, Zalika Nisbeth and Rayshon Payton, who are here to represent the First Tee’s Scholars Program Class of 2006.

This hearing will also examine the efforts of schools to integrate character education into their curriculum. Character education typically includes direct instruction and other efforts that promote in students values such as responsibility, respect, trust, hard work, and civic engagement.

Through the No Child Left Behind Act, Congress has stepped forward in promoting character education. The law establishes competitive grants for states and local school districts for character education programs that can be integrated into classroom instruction. This year alone, this program is funded at nearly $25 million.

Scores of schools also are developing character education curriculum independent of this federal program. Many schools who have implemented these types of initiatives have reported rising test scores and improved student behavior. And this morning, we’ll hear about the positive results generated by one such school’s character education initiative.

It is clear that public, private, and non-profit organizations are working each day to build character education in our nation’s youth, and I’m pleased we are providing a platform to highlight their efforts. And with that, I yield to my friend, Ms. Woolsey, for any opening statement she may have.

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