For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 26, 2002
Parents' Day, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Parenthood is a profound blessing, bringing with it
responsibilities that are both challenging and rewarding. The care,
dedication, and attention of parents are critical to their children's
success. As they teach, guide, and nurture, parents help their
children to realize their potential and achieve their dreams. Parents
also play a critical role in shaping their children's character by
sharing important life-lessons and values and showing them how to love
and care for others.
As we face the challenges of a new era, families remain the
foundation of our civil society; and parents are the cornerstone of
strong families. This important responsibility often presents
difficult problems and trying circumstances as parents balance
competing demands such as making a living, raising their children, and
participating in their communities.
Our Nation has made great progress in recognizing the importance of
effective parenting, but there is still much to do. My Administration
is committed to promoting a healthier society by helping parents build
stronger families. Many studies have shown that children do better in
two-parent households where the parents are married; and as part of our
plan to promote the well-being of children, I have committed
significant resources to programs that encourage healthy and stable
marriages. While no law can ensure that people love one another, we
can support initiatives that help couples learn how to build successful
marriages and be good parents.
My Administration supports community-based efforts that help
delinquent fathers improve their lives so they can become effective
parents. With job training, employment, counseling, and career
advancement education, we hope to make it easier for more fathers to
have positive relationships with their sons and daughters. We have
also taken important steps to empower and inform parents through the No
Child Left Behind Act, ensuring that they will be vital partners in
their children's education. Further, every child in America deserves
to live in a safe, stable, and loving family; my Administration is
committed to increasing public awareness about the importance of
adoption and to encouraging Americans to consider adopting children.
By pursuing these significant measures, we increase compassion in our
society, and we make America a better place for all.
The nurturing and development of children require widespread
investment, focus, and commitment. While Government plays an important
role in this process, citizens, schools, and civic institutions must
also assist parents by reaching out to help meet the needs of young
people in their communities. By working together to provide for our
children, we will show them the way to a brighter future.
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 and consistent with Public Law 103-362,
as amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 28, 2002, as Parents' Day.
I encourage all Americans to join me in honoring the millions of
mothers and fathers, biological and adoptive, foster parents, and
stepparents, whose selfless love and determined efforts influence lives
for the good of their children and our Nation. I also urge all
Americans to express their love, respect, and appreciation to our
parents, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth
day of July, 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
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