For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 13, 2003
President's Father's Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Fatherhood is one of life's most challenging yet fulfilling
endeavors. On Father's Day, we honor America's fathers and express our
appreciation for all they do to help build a strong foundation for our
children and our Nation. We also reaffirm our commitment to supporting
fathers and encouraging responsible fatherhood in our society.
Fathers have indispensable roles to play in the lives of their
children: provider, protector, nurturer, teacher, and friend. Every
caring father unconditionally loves his sons and daughters and strives
for the best for his children in the future. In seeking to give their
children the opportunity to succeed, fathers offer needed strength,
guidance, and discipline.
Fathers teach their children many basic things in life: how to
read a book, throw a ball, tie a necktie, ride a bike, or drive a car.
More importantly, they also help instill time-honored values in their
children, such as hard work, respect, honesty, and good citizenship.
Through their words, actions, and sacrifices, fathers play an important
role in shaping the characters of their sons and daughters.
The time and attention that a father gives to a child is
irreplaceable -- there is no substitute for the involvement and
commitment of a responsible father. Not only are fathers essential to
the healthy development of children, they also influence the strength
of families and the stability of communities.
For this reason, our Government is working to help fathers succeed
in this challenging, but life-affirming, role. Over the last 2 years,
my Administration has taken important steps to promote responsible
fatherhood and encourage community-based initiatives that help them
fulfill their important roles. We are working to provide funds for
healthy marriage and parenting education and for community mentoring
programs to help fathers become more engaged and involved in their
children's lives.
This Father's Day, we recognize the many fathers who are heroes and
role models for their children, and we encourage more men to fulfill
this responsibility by loving their sons and daughters with all their
heart and demonstrating this love daily. By working together to
encourage America's fathers, we can strengthen our society and help
ensure the well-being of all our children.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress
approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109),
do hereby proclaim June 15, 2003, as Father's Day. I encourage all
Americans to express love, admiration, and thanks to their fathers for
their contributions to our lives and to society. I direct the
appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the
United States on all Government buildings on this day. I also call
upon State and local governments and citizens to observe this day with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day
of June, 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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