00                  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15                                                                   
01 Proclaiming March 27, 2018, as Alaska Education and Sharing Day.                                                        
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03       WHEREAS excellence in education is vital to the success of our nation, our state, and                           
04 our communities; and                                                                                                    
05       WHEREAS, in the great state of Alaska, we seek the betterment of our citizens and                               
06 look to provide each child and adolescent with a good education; and                                                    
07       WHEREAS education develops the intellect and prepares students for the                                          
08 responsibilities and opportunities of the future through lessons in literacy, math, and science;                        
09 and                                                                                                                     
10       WHEREAS the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, a global spiritual leader who                                     
11 dedicated his life to the betterment of mankind, provided a shining example of what education                           
12 ought to be for all people; and                                                                                         
13       WHEREAS the Rebbe was a tireless advocate for youth, emphasizing the importance                                 
14 of education and good character and instilling hope for a brighter future in countless people                           
15 around the world; and                                                                                                   
16       WHEREAS the Rebbe taught that education, in general, should not be limited to the                               

01 acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career, nor should its sole focus be on making                           
02 a better living; and                                                                                                    
03 WHEREAS the educational system must also focus on building character by                                               
04 emphasizing the cultivation of universal moral and ethical values that have been the bedrock                            
05 of society from the dawn of civilization, including the values known as the Seven Noahide                               
06 Laws, which have often been cited as a guarantee of fundamental human rights; and                                       
07       WHEREAS the Rebbe taught that people must think in terms of creating better lives                               
08 for all members of society and that focusing on the development of character, as well as                                
09 strong moral and ethical values, would further that goal; and                                                           
10 WHEREAS, in recognition of the Rebbe's outstanding and lasting contributions to                                     
11 global education and focus on morality and acts of charity, the Rebbe has been awarded the                              
12 Congressional Gold Medal, and the United States Congress has established his birthday as a                              
13 national day to raise awareness of the importance of strengthening the educational system for                           
14 our children; and                                                                                                       
15 WHEREAS, every year since 1978, on the Rebbe's birthday, the President of the                                         
16 United States, regardless of political affiliation, has paid recognition to the Rebbe's vision by                       
17 proclaiming the day "Education and Sharing Day, USA"; and                                                               
18 WHEREAS we strengthen the character of our youth by encouraging them to serve a                                       
19 cause greater than themselves and by fostering values such as courage and compassion; and                               
20 WHEREAS, by instilling a spirit of service in our children, we create a more                                          
21 optimistic future for our children and the state;                                                                       
22 BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proclaims March 27, 2018, to                                         
23 be Alaska Education and Sharing Day.