[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7612]

Proc. 7612

Proclamation 7612 of October 18, 2002

National Character Counts Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          President Theodore Roosevelt once said that, ``Character, in 
          the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an 
          individual and of nations alike.'' During National Character 
          Counts Week, Americans reaffirm our dedication to promoting 
          good character and upholding the timeless virtues that make 
          our Nation strong.
          Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would survive 
          and flourish if our Nation was committed to good character and 
          an unyielding dedication to liberty and justice for all. 
          Throughout our history, our most honorable heroes practiced 
          the values of hard work and honesty, commitment to excellence 
          and courage, and self-discipline and perseverance. Today, as 
          we work to preserve peace and freedom throughout the world, we 
          are guided by a national character that respects human dignity 
          and values every life.
          The future success of our Nation depends on our children's 
          ability to understand the difference between right and wrong 
          and to have the strength

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          of character to make the right choices. To help them reach 
          their full potential and live with integrity and pride, we 
          must teach our children to be kind, responsible, honest, and 
          self-disciplined. These important values are first learned in 
          the family, but all of our citizens have an obligation to 
          support parents in the character education of our children.
          Our schools play a crucial role in teaching the skills, 
          knowledge, and moral values that will help our children 
          succeed. As Martin Luther King, Jr., stated, ``. . . 
          intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that 
          is the goal of true education.'' By guiding children to 
          understand universal values such as respect, tolerance, 
          compassion, and commitment to family and community, our 
          schools are working to achieve this goal.
          My Administration is committed to promoting character by 
          encouraging public service and civic awareness. The USA 
          Freedom Corps is helping citizens discover volunteer 
          opportunities in their communities and spreading the message 
          that everyone can do something to care for their neighbors in 
          need. This past June, we convened the White House Conference 
          on Character and Community, which showcased programs from 
          around the country that are proving that sound values can be 
          effectively taught.
          By affirming the importance of good character in our society 
          and encouraging all people to lead lives of virtuous purpose, 
          we can prepare our Nation, and especially our Nation's 
          children, for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 
          Strengthening our national character will help secure greater 
          opportunity, prosperity, and hope for all.
          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 October 20 through October 26, 2002, as National 
          Character Counts Week. I call upon all public officials, 
          educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States 
          to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, 
          and programs.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
          eighteenth day of October, 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.

GEORGE W. BUSH