[Federal Register: July 31, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 147)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 49557-49558]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31jy02-119]                         



                        Presidential Documents 




___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 49557]]

                Proclamation 7580 of July 26, 2002

 
                Parents' Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Parenthood is a profound blessing, bringing with it 
                responsibilities that are both challenging and 
                rewarding. The care, dedication, and attention of 
                parents are critical to their children's success. As 
                they teach, guide, and nurture, parents help their 
                children to realize their potential and achieve their 
                dreams. Parents also play a critical role in shaping 
                their children's character by sharing important life-
                lessons and values and showing them how to love and 
                care for others.

                As we face the challenges of a new era, families remain 
                the foundation of our civil society; and parents are 
                the corner stone of strong families. This important 
                responsibility often presents difficult problems and 
                trying circumstances as parents balance competing 
                demands such as making a living, raising their 
                children, and participating in their communities.

                Our Nation has made great progress in recognizing the 
                importance of effective parenting, but there is still 
                much to do. My Administration is committed to promoting 
                a healthier society by helping parents build stronger 
                families. Many studies have shown that children do 
                better in two-parent households where the parents are 
                married; and as part of our plan to promote the well-
                being of children, I have committed significant 
                resources to programs that encourage healthy and stable 
                marriages. While no law can ensure that people love one 
                another, we can support initiatives that help couples 
                learn how to build successful marriages and be good 
                parents.

                My Administration supports community-based efforts that 
                help delinquent fathers improve their lives so they can 
                become effective parents. With job training, 
                employment, counseling, and career advancement 
                education, we hope to make it easier for more fathers 
                to have positive relationships with their sons and 
                daughters. We have also taken important steps to 
                empower and inform parents through the No Child Left 
                Behind Act, ensuring that they will be vital partners 
                in their children's education. Further, every child in 
                America deserves to live in a safe, stable, and loving 
                family; my Administration is committed to increasing 
                public awareness about the importance of adoption and 
                to encouraging Americans to consider adopting children. 
                By pursuing these significant measures, we increase 
                compassion in our society, and we make America a better 
                place for all.

                The nurturing and development of children require 
                widespread investment, focus, and commitment. While 
                Government plays an important role in this process, 
                citizens, schools, and civic institutions must also 
                assist parents by reaching out to help meet the needs 
                of young people in their communities. By working 
                together to provide for our children, we will show them 
                the way to a brighter future.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States and consistent with Public Law 103-362, as 
                amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 28, 2002, as 
                Parents' Day. I encourage all Americans to join me in 
                honoring the millions of mothers and fathers, 
                biological and adoptive, foster parents, and 
                stepparents, whose

[[Page 49558]]

                selfless love and determined efforts influence lives 
                for the good of their children and our Nation. I also 
                urge all Americans to express their love, respect, and 
                appreciation to our parents, and I call upon all 
                citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, 
                ceremonies, and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-19484
Filed 7-30-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P