For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 27, 2003
National Consumer Protection Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Few technologies have become fixtures in our daily lives as quickly as
computers and the Internet. Today, more than half of all Americans log
on to the Internet, and that number is growing. Our access to
information, entertainment, credit and banking, products, and services
from every corner of the world is greater than ever before. As our
personal information becomes more accessible, consumers, corporations,
and government agencies must take precautions against the misuse of
that information.
Computer technology and the Internet have revolutionized our
ability to communicate and share knowledge. This new freedom offers
incredible opportunities; but as individuals and as a Nation, we must
guard against the misuse of personal information and identity theft.
The theme of this year's National Consumer Protection Week is
"Information Security," and during this week we resolve to help all
Americans learn how to keep personal information secure.
For consumers, securing a computer is a matter of routine
maintenance and caution. Effective passwords, firewalls, and up-to-date
antivirus software can help protect computers, and the personal or
business information we store on them, from those who would damage a
network operation or steal personal information to commit a crime. By
practicing effective information security measures, all citizens can
contribute to the protection of our national information
infrastructure.
To assist consumers, public and private entities have joined forces
to highlight the importance of information security. They include the
Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service, the Federal Consumer Information Center, the
National Association of Attorneys General, the National Consumers
League, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Better
Business Bureau, the Consumer Federation of America, and the National
Association of Consumer Agency Administrators. The National Strategy
to Secure Cyberspace also offers guidance for the full range of
computer users on information security. By working together, we can
help consumers and businesses understand how information security
affects their decisions at home and in the marketplace.
During National Consumer Protection Week, I encourage all Americans
to take the appropriate steps to ensure the security of their personal
or sensitive information. By learning ways to safeguard this data,
individuals can help ensure their financial security, and contribute to
the strength and prosperity of our Nation.
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 February 2 through 8, 2003, as National Consumer
Protection Week. I call upon Government officials, industry leaders,
and consumer advocates to provide consumers with information about how
we can help safeguard the economic future of all Americans by keeping
our personal information secure.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentyseventh
day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twentyseventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
|