[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: 3CFR7621]

Proc. 7621

Proclamation 7621 of November 1, 2002

National Hospice Month, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          Hospice organizations provide people who are near the end of 
          their lives with family-centered, quality care, that 
          emphasizes compassion, independence, respect, and dignity. 
          During National Hospice Month, our Nation pays tribute to 
          hospice care and the persons and organizations involved with 
          it, by recognizing and honoring its value and importance for 
          people who are dying, for their families and friends, and for 
          our communities.
          Hospice has emerged as a successful model of care that helps 
          terminally ill individuals achieve practical, physical, 
          psychological, and spiritual goals. According to the National 
          Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), in 2001, an 
          estimated 3,200 operating hospice programs in the United 
          States admitted about 775,000 patients. Hospice care relies 
          upon a team of committed physicians, nurses, medical social 
          workers, therapists, counselors, and volunteers. This team 
          provides medical services that are designed to improve the 
          comfort of the patient, manage symptoms, provide proper 
          nutrition, and deal with other difficulties such as emotional 
          distress and grief. Hospice care also provides important 
          emotional and spiritual support to families and friends as 
          they cope with their impending loss.
          While we have made great progress in encouraging hospice care, 
          much work remains to be done to increase awareness of hospice 
          and its benefits. The NHPCO reports that in 2000, 2.4 million 
          people in our Nation died. It is estimated that one in four 
          used hospice care and services. Also, many people at the end 
          of life are referred to hospice only a few days before death. 
          By strengthening and expanding hospice programs and working to 
          promote, where appropriate, their services as a positive 
          alternative for terminally ill patients, we can make a 
          difference in the lives of countless Americans.
          As we observe National Hospice Month, we applaud hospice 
          organizations, health professionals, and other caregivers for 
          their dedication to ensuring

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          respect and quality of life for all. We also reaffirm our 
          commitment as a Nation to honoring the dignity of every person 
          and to promoting compassion and concern for our fellow 
          citizens.
          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 November 2002 as National Hospice Month. I encourage 
          Americans to increase their awareness of the importance and 
          availability of hospice service and to observe this month with 
          appropriate activities and programs.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day 
          of November, 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