[Federal Register: August 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 161)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 53873-53874]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20au02-172]                         



                        Presidential Documents 




___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 53873]]

                Proclamation 7583 of August 16, 2002

 
                National Health Center Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's community health centers are a vital part of 
                our healthcare safety net, providing primary care 
                services to uninsured, low-income families and 
                individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.

                Community health centers ensure that all citizens have 
                access to medical treatment and preventative care. Each 
                year, community, migrant, public housing, and homeless 
                health centers serve more than 12 million citizens at 
                over 3,300 delivery sites throughout urban and rural 
                communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, 
                Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. These 
                centers care for 1 of every 5 low-income children and 1 
                of every 12 rural residents. By working together with 
                schools, businesses, churches, community organizations, 
                foundations, and State and local governments, these 
                health centers strive to meet the special needs and 
                priorities of communities and to improve the health and 
                well-being of countless families and individuals.

                Health centers offer responsive and cost-effective 
                health care that includes comprehensive primary and 
                preventive services; prenatal and postpartum care; 
                patient education, case management, and outreach; 
                translation and other support services. My 
                Administration is committed to increasing Federal 
                support of healthcare centers. Through my Community and 
                Migrant Health Centers Initiative we are working to 
                double the number of patients served in these centers, 
                and create 1,200 new and expanded health center sites 
                over 5 years.

                With the observance of National Health Center Week, we 
                recognize the important role and the invaluable 
                contributions of America's health centers, their staff, 
                board members, and all those responsible for their 
                success. During National Health Center week, I join in 
                encouraging all Americans to celebrate the importance 
                of health centers to our communities by participating 
                in health fairs and screenings, blood drives, 
                immunizations, and open house events.

                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, do hereby proclaim August 18 through 24, 2002, 
                as National Health Center Week. I encourage all 
                Americans to observe this week with appropriate 
                activities and programs in order to raise their 
                awareness of the importance and variety of services 
                provided by America's health centers.

[[Page 53874]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of August, 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. 02-21341
Filed 8-19-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P