I was again saddened by the news of yet another school shooting last week in California. Another young man felt so out of place and distraught that he turned to violence as a way of being heard. Why is this continuing to happen? America's children need our help.

As the House Co-Sponsor with U.S. Rep Bob Etheridge (D-NC) of the major bill to boost character education, I am very encouraged to hear President Bush say, in his State of the Budget address two weeks ago, "We've tripled funding for character education to teach our children not only reading and writing, but right from wrong." This Administration clearly recognizes the importance of values in our society and is committed to seeking a better education for our nation's children.

President Bush understands what many academics are saying and writing - that a "valueless" education is no education at all. At the foundation of all knowledge there must exist a fundamental set of principles that distinguishes "right from wrong and good from bad."

Scholars have long believed that teaching "competence without conscience" is an incomplete education. If you wouldn't educate a student in the laws of physics without also teaching their applications, then why would a school teach academics without providing a context for the use of this knowledge? We must concentrate not only on training future businessmen, doctors, and technicians, but also on preparing young people to be good citizens of their community.

In describing classical education, Plato said that teachers must build upon and foster parental morals teaching about "what is honorable and what is dishonorable." Educator John Sloan Dickey reiterated that "to create competence without creating a corresponding direction to guide the use of that power is bad education." Many scholars have recognized the direct relation between building a student's character and building a student's intellect, and it is time that we make both a priority.

For many years, the character education movement has grown out of my hometown, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Today, the Center for Youth Issues Inc., a 501k(3) non-profit organization, provides materials and/or programs on character education to more than 26,000 schools nationwide and impacts more than 10 million students.

Since 1981, this organization, working through its school-based organization STARS (Students Taking A Right Stand), has found acceptance and great success in public school systems all across America. My wife, Kim, and I are very active in STARS, having served on the Board of Directors and as Co-Chairmen of its annual fundraising campaign. We have seen first hand the positive impact that character education can have on young people. Today I am optimistic that these initiatives will be a central part of education reform. under the leadership of President Bush.

We believe that as the Bush Administration and Congress pursue academic reforms to increase accountability and improve performance in our public schools, it is also essential that character education proposals be advanced. For a complete education, students must understand the "pillars" of character such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Education is indeed the key to opportunity in our society. But if we are to be that "shining city on the hill" described by President Reagan, we must teach the basics of virtue, honor and respect in both the home and the classroom.