Driving to the office Friday I was passed by a pickup truck on the Glenn Highway, between the Birchwood exits. Being passed on the Glenn is nothing of note these days, as the road better resembles a super-speedway than a commuter highway.

The fact that I was passed didn't surprise me, instead a bumper sticker on the truck caught my eye and made me shake my head in disgust, both at the driver and myself.

The two simple words affixed to the rear bumper read "Character Matters." The truck it was attached to was speeding - I know that because I too was speeding. We were driving on a portion of the highway, between Hiland Road and Eklutna that, as a construction zone, had a posted maximum speed limit of 55 mph.

After reading the bumper sticker I thought to myself, "this guy has no character." Then I glanced down at my speedometer, and the digital read out showed I was traveling 62 mph.

Who was I to judge the driver's character, when I was failing to display character in the same manner?

Which leads me to a question that has been troubling me since the incident.

Does character matter?

This begs another question: Matter to whom?

Character, integrity, high personal moral standards and conscience are not essential to success. A person can lack all these things and still be very successful.

A person can acquire great status in society and power without being a person of character. In fact, history shows they can acquire enormous power, enough to oppress and kill others. It is not required that someone be a person of character in order for them to be a leader.

Yet those with true character often make better leaders and are better people.

Does character matter? It does to me, but it is something that doesn't come easily and it is not without its challenges. Living a life of character and honor is not without struggles.

I was reminded of that while interviewing Sen. Fred Dyson for a recent story. He had just completed restoration work on a 1919 Model T Ford and registered it with the Department of Motor Vehicles, so he could drive it in the Bear Paw Festival Parade.

I mentioned to him that I found it odd that he didn't get a historic vehicle license plate for the car; instead, he registered it as a regular vehicle. When I asked why? He said he wanted to drive it, and with a historic vehicle plate, one is limited to driving in parades or on special occasions.

"You could have still got a historic plate," I said. "It's not like anyone would ever stop you."

That is when he said something, which caught my attention.

"I was tempted, but I've struggled with this thing called integrity for several years," he said.

He could have easily rationalized getting a historic plate for the car, just as I did. Instead, he revealed his struggle and had the character to do the right thing.

The old saying it that "you will know a man's true character by his actions." This was proven during my brief exchange with the senator.

Looking back to the gentleman with the "Character Matters" bumper sticker, I now find myself more troubled with my own lack of character for both speeding and being quick to judge another's character while not preserving my own.

Like Sen. Dyson, integrity and character is something I struggle with everyday. I just pray that I too have the strength to do the right thing the next time my character is tested.

Why you ask? Because "Character Matters."

Reach the reporter at darrell.breese.@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, August 13, 2009.