[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54903-54904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27443]



[[Page 54901]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7488--National Character Counts Week, 2001



Proclamation 7489--National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug-Free America, 
2001



Proclamation 7490--United Nations Day, 2001
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 210 / Tuesday, October 30, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54903]]

                Proclamation 7488 of October 22, 2001

                
National Character Counts Week, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation was built on a foundation of sound moral 
                principles. The heroes of American history responded to 
                threats to their freedom by choosing to fight for these 
                timeless principles, assuming duties that superseded 
                their self-interest. The character of America's 
                founders was exemplified in their willingness to risk 
                death in resisting tyranny and securing liberty and 
                independence. From the frozen soil of Valley Forge to 
                the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of the Persian 
                Gulf region, American soldiers have answered the call 
                of patriotic duty at great personal cost.

                Our Nation's character continues to define how we 
                respond to those who threaten America's core principles 
                of liberty, justice, and equality. We saw that 
                character when, in the face of the terrible terrorist 
                attacks of September 11, American firefighters, police 
                officers, and airline passengers sacrificed their lives 
                to save others. We saw it when people across our land 
                donated blood for the victims. And we see it as the 
                children of America donate dollars to help suffering 
                Afghan children. These acts reveal that enduring 
                patriotism and faith are part of the fabric of America.

                How our military is responding to these despicable 
                attacks is also indicative of our national character. 
                We are waging a war against terrorists who have 
                hijacked their own peaceful religion in an attempt to 
                justify their evil deeds. As we strike military 
                targets, however, we also are dropping food, medicine, 
                and supplies to relieve the suffering among the victims 
                of the Taliban regime.

                The manner in which we face these and other challenges 
                in this war will continue to influence our country for 
                generations to come. In fulfilling our mission with 
                both compassion and courage, we show our children what 
                putting American values into action means. Similarly, 
                parents should teach their children by word and deed to 
                understand and live out the moral values that we hold, 
                such as honesty, accepting responsibility for our 
                actions, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

                Places of worship, faith-based organizations, and other 
                community groups also play an important role in helping 
                to shape young hearts and minds. Government should 
                cultivate a climate that supports families and 
                organizations that seek to instill sound moral 
                principles in their children. My Administration's 
                Faith-Based and Community Initiative proposes a program 
                that will ensure that faith-based and community 
                caregivers are welcomed as partners in these efforts. 
                In addition, my budget triples the funds available for 
                character education in public schools. I have also 
                proposed to extend Federal after-school funding to 
                programs run by faith-based and community-based 
                organizations.

                During this week, we should reflect on the national 
                character we inherited from our forefathers and on the 
                obligation we now have to stand for morality and virtue 
                in the face of evil and terror. Since September 11, our 
                Nation has shown that we are prepared to respond to the 
                evildoers who have attacked the principles for which we 
                stand. Our national character

[[Page 54904]]

                shall guide us as we wage this war, and in that we know 
                that evil will not triumph.

                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 October 21 through October 
                27, 2001, as National Character Counts Week. I call 
                upon the people of the United States to commemorate 
                this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-second day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-27443
Filed 10-29-01; 11:37 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P