[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 32891-32892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15571]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 32891]]

                Proclamation 7451 of June 15, 2001

                
 Father's Day, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Americans celebrate Father's Day as a unique time to 
                reflect on the importance of fathers and to honor their 
                vital role in the lives of children. For those who have 
                been blessed with our own families, this day also 
                provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to 
                being the best possible fathers for our children.

                Father's Day was originally the idea of Sonora Dodd, 
                who wanted to honor her father, Civil War veteran Henry 
                Jackson Smart. As Sonora's sole surviving parent 
                following the death of her mother, Mr. Smart made great 
                sacrifices for his daughter and raised her with 
                courage, selflessness, and abiding love. To enable all 
                Americans to participate in paying special tribute to 
                their fathers, President Calvin Coolidge first 
                recognized Father's Day in 1924.

                During childhood, boys and girls look to their fathers 
                for a sense of security, warmth, attention, patience, 
                and understanding. As young people mature, their 
                fathers contribute to their spiritual, emotional, 
                physical, financial, and social well-being. In reaching 
                adulthood, men and women alike are enriched 
                immeasurably by the wisdom of their fathers as they 
                pursue careers, start families, and take active roles 
                in the community.

                For boys and girls raised without a father in the home, 
                the challenges can be great. Seventy-five percent of 
                American children raised in a one-parent household will 
                experience poverty before they turn 11 years old, 
                compared to only 20 percent of children in families 
                with two parents. Children in homes where the father is 
                absent are more likely to be suspended from school or 
                to drop out, be treated for an emotional or behavioral 
                problem, become suicidal as adolescents, or become 
                victims of child abuse or neglect.

                As a society, we must support fathers in fulfilling 
                their responsibilities to their families, which may 
                include not only biological or adopted children, but 
                also stepchildren or foster children. Fathers must be 
                prepared to nurture and care for their sons and 
                daughters, and to do so in the context of a strong and 
                committed marriage. To promote responsible fatherhood, 
                my Administration has proposed providing financial 
                support to community and faith-based organizations that 
                help fathers and to programs that strengthen marriage 
                and promote successful parenting. We also propose 
                funding to support the expansion of ongoing State and 
                local fatherhood initiatives and helping community 
                groups that try to provide young men with role models.

                Our society must strive to produce a generation of men 
                who are ready to become the best possible fathers. Let 
                us set a good example for America's sons by valuing the 
                responsibility and importance of fatherhood. Let us 
                also honor and be thankful for the caring, decent, and 
                hardworking fathers who make such a tremendous 
                difference in the lives of their children and families.

[[Page 32892]]

                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 (36 
                U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 17, 2001, as 
                Father's Day. I encourage all Americans to express love 
                and respect for their fathers, as well as appreciation 
                for the vital contributions of fathers to families 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 
                fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-15571
Filed 6-18-01; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P