For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 21, 2001
National Family Week Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
American families are the bedrock of our society. They
are the primary source of strength and health for both individuals and
communities across our Nation. As we continue our recovery
from the horrific acts committed by terrorists against the United
States on September 11, our families provide us with a vital source of
comfort and reassurance.
Americans grieve with those who suffered the loss of a family
member in the brutal and cowardly terrorist attacks. The
September 11 tragedy has allowed America to see first-hand the profound
bonds of love that characterize the American family. Parents, children,
spouses, and siblings mourned their lost loved ones, cared for the
injured, and prayed for protection and health for all
Americans. In the midst of great loss, we saw great love
flowing from the hearts of America's families.
My Administration is committed to strengthening the American
family. Many one-parent families are also a source of comfort and
reassurance, yet a family with a mom and dad who are committed to
marriage and devote themselves to their children helps provide children
a sound foundation for success. Government can support
families by promoting policies that help strengthen the institu-tion of
marriage and help parents rear their children in positive and healthy
environments.
My proposed budget includes initiatives that encourage family
cohesion. It provides over $60 million for grants that
encourage responsible fatherhood. Grants would be awarded to
groups that promote successful parenting and strong marriages and to
faith-based and community organizations that help unemployed or
low-income parents and their children avoid or leave
welfare. This initiative will help spur new community-level
approaches to aid low-income families.
To strengthen States' ability to promote child safety, stability,
and well-being, my budget also proposes a substantial increase in
funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families
program. These additional resources will help States keep
children with their biological families, when safe and appro-priate, or
place children with loving adoptive families. By undertaking
more preventative efforts to help families in crisis, the prospects for
children to live in a permanent home are enhanced.
As we observe National Family Week, we must work to strengthen
families in America as individuals and through Government and
community-based organizations. This week serves to remind us
of the values, security, and love that we give and receive in our
families.
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 18 through
November 24, 2001, as National Family Week. I invite the
States, communities, and people of the United States to join together
in observing this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to
honor our Nation's families.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first
day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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