[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 10, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17601-17602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8857]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 10, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 17601]]


                Proclamation 7537 of April 1, 2002

                
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every child deserves to be cared for by parents who 
                provide love, protection, and nurturing. Safe and 
                healthy childhoods help produce confident and 
                successful adults. When parents are unable to meet 
                their responsibilities, the consequences are tragic for 
                their children and for society. Nationwide, reports 
                show that more than 879,000 children are victims of 
                child abuse and neglect and approximately 1,200 
                children die from maltreatment, many at the hands of 
                those who are supposed to protect them.

                Children who are abused and neglected often carry the 
                effects of their experiences into adulthood. They are 
                much more likely to experience problems with substance 
                abuse, depression, learning disabilities, and to engage 
                in criminal activities and violence against others, 
                including abuse of their own children. The societal 
                effects of child abuse include the need for increased 
                child welfare services, special education resources, 
                physical and emotional health care services, and 
                juvenile justice facilities.

                My Administration is committed to promoting effective 
                policies that protect children from harm while 
                strengthening and supporting families. Promoting 
                healthy marriages, and teaching responsible fatherhood 
                and motherhood, are key priorities of my 
                Administration. Last year, I worked with the Congress 
                to provide an additional $70 million for the Promoting 
                Safe and Stable Families Program, which is helping 
                States ensure children's safety, permanency, and well-
                being. This program is designed to strengthen families 
                at risk and prevent abuse and neglect. My 2003 budget 
                includes a substantial increase of $130 million for 
                this essential program.

                The problem of child abuse requires a continuing 
                national commitment, and we must remain vigilant in 
                working to provide safety and security to each young 
                person in our society.

                Government alone cannot prevent child abuse. Child 
                abuse prevention requires partnerships among Federal, 
                State, and local governments, faith-based and 
                community-based organizations, schools, law 
                enforcement, and social service agencies. All of these 
                organizations must work together with parents to 
                protect children and help build healthy families and 
                communities where children can reach their potential.

                Every April, communities across the country join to 
                raise public awareness about child abuse, to provide 
                information about how to prevent it, and to assist 
                families in need of support, recovery, and 
                encouragement. During National Child Abuse Prevention 
                Month, and throughout the year, I encourage all 
                Americans to find ways to cherish our children, and 
                strengthen our families.

                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 2002 as National Child 
                Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to 
                observe this month by supporting the hard work of those 
                who ensure our children's safety, and by playing an 
                active role in creating a safer, healthier environment 
                for our children's growth.

[[Page 17602]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-8857
Filed 4-9-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P