For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 11, 2003
Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
As a Nation, we must work to ensure that all our children have the
opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams. On
Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003, we renew our commitment to
providing quality education and to teaching our children the values
that prepare them for lives as good neighbors and citizens.
Education has always been one of our Nation's top priorities. We
place great reliance and confidence in our public education system,
recognizing that it is one of the most important institu-tions of our
free society. By helping our young citizens learn and develop skills,
education has spurred our progress and prosperity, driven our Nation's
economy, and enriched our culture.
Over the last 2 years, my Administration has taken significant
action to transform public education in America. In one of the most
comprehensive reforms ever passed, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
strengthened our school systems and affirmed our fundamental belief in
the promise of every child. By raising expectations and insisting on
results, we can make a difference in the lives of all our children.
As part of our commitment to our children's future, we must also
teach young Americans to live lives of integrity and purpose, and to
realize the importance of loving others and contributing to their
communities. These values are first learned within the family, but all
of our citizens, and especially our teachers, can support parents in
the character education of our children. By guiding young people to
understand universal values such as tolerance, honesty, commitment to
family, service to others, and respect for the dignity of every life,
our schools and communities can help our Nation fulfill its great
potential.
For the past 19 years, on the anniversary of his birth, we have
recognized the contributions of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson,
the Lubavitcher Rebbe who was instrumental in establishing numerous
educational, social, and rehabilitative institutions. The Rebbe
believed that education is critical in cultivating the moral character
of students. He lived what he said: "A single good deed on your part
could transform the world."
Today in the United States, there is a growing momentum of acts of
kindness. Across our country, millions of Americans are helping to
reinforce a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility, and
are applying the compassion of America to our biggest problems and
deepest wounds. To build on these successes, we must instill these
values in our next generation of leaders. Amidst a world of
challenges, we can equip our children to carry our Nation into a future
of promise and possibility 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 April 13, 2003, as
Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. I call upon all Americans to invest
in our Nation's future by helping our children understand the
importance of character and provide them the knowledge and values
necessary to succeed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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