[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62909-62910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30146]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62909]]


                Proclamation 7508 of November 29, 2001

                
National Hospice Month, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year, approximately 700,000 terminally ill 
                patients and their families rely on the invaluable end-
                of-life care provided by the 3,100 hospice programs 
                located in the United States. Hospice care allows a 
                terminally ill individual to receive professional 
                medical services, pain management therapy, and 
                emotional and spiritual support, without having to 
                enter a hospital. This focus on the patient's quality 
                of life during his or her last illness can make the 
                best of the most challenging of situations.

                Hospices create a compassionate atmosphere where 
                patients will be able to die with dignity, preferably 
                in their home environment, surrounded and supported by 
                loved ones, familiar friends, and committed caregivers. 
                Professional and compassionate hospice staff and 
                volunteers, including physicians, nurses, social 
                workers, therapists, and clergy, provide comprehensive 
                care and attend to the particular needs and wishes of 
                each patient. Family members and friends also receive 
                counseling and bereavement care that help them cope 
                with the impending loss of their loved one.

                Individuals and groups in the private and public 
                sectors are working together to strengthen and expand 
                hospice programs and to promote their services as a 
                positive alternative for terminally ill patients. 
                Today, hospice care is a full partner in our Nation's 
                health care system, furthering our efforts to provide 
                medical services in more compassionate and cost-
                effective ways. More important, providing high-quality 
                hospice care reaffirms our belief in the essential 
                dignity of every person, regardless of age, health, or 
                social status, and that every stage of human life 
                deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and 
                care. My Administration remains committed to supporting 
                health care programs like hospice that encourage 
                quality medical care and frequent doctor-patient 
                interaction.

                With the observance of National Hospice Month, we 
                recognize those who serve in our Nation's hospices, 
                often as caregivers in the homes of hospice patients. 
                Caring for a terminally ill patient can be emotionally 
                painful, physically exhausting, and financially 
                difficult. I call on all Americans to honor the 
                professionals and volunteers who dedicate their lives 
                to aiding the terminally ill through hospices. And we 
                should use this observance as an opportunity to 
                encourage and help those who take on the challenge of 
                caring for a terminally ill patient in their home or in 
                a hospice facility.

                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 November 2001 as National 
                Hospice Month. I encourage Americans to increase their 
                awareness of the importance and availability of hospice 
                service and to observe this month with appropriate 
                activities and programs.

[[Page 62910]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of November, 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. 01-30146
Filed 12-03-01; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P