[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62865-62866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25898]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 9, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62865]]


                Proclamation 7603 of October 4, 2001

                
Child Health Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Child Health Day, we renew our commitment to the 
                well-being and safety of our children. Parents, 
                families, teachers, and neighbors all play important 
                roles in preparing children to face life's physical, 
                spiritual, intellectual, and emotional demands. For the 
                future of our country, we must work together to provide 
                our young people with the knowledge and skills they 
                need to be safe, self-confident, and successful.

                From maintaining a healthy environment and high safety 
                standards to providing immunizations and quality health 
                care, children rely on our vigilance and support. Each 
                year, 30 million children require emergency care due to 
                acute illness and injury. We can all take important 
                steps to help prevent these accidents and to improve 
                the health and safety of young Americans.

                Parents and other caregivers should be aware of the 
                latest safety precautions and pay careful attention to 
                consumer safety warnings. They should always secure 
                infants, toddlers, and small children in safety seats 
                and booster seats. Children should be taught always to 
                wear their seatbelts when riding in a vehicle and to 
                use protective gear when riding a bicycle, roller 
                blading, skate boarding, playing sports, and 
                participating in other similar activities. Parents 
                should set a good example by refraining from smoking 
                and should teach their children about the health risks 
                of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.

                Child obesity has become a serious problem in this 
                country. About 8 million young Americans--almost 15 
                percent of all children--are overweight. Obesity can 
                cause medical complications that can lead to 
                hospitalization for type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and 
                asthma. Ensuring regular participation in physical 
                activity can help children manage weight, control blood 
                pressure, and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and 
                joints.

                My Administration is strongly committed to advancing 
                programs that help children discover and understand the 
                benefits of healthy living. The recently introduced 
                HealthierUS Initiative will help Americans improve 
                their health and quality of life through modest 
                improvements in physical activity, nutrition, getting 
                preventive screenings, and making healthy choices. 
                Families play a vital role and can help to promote and 
                encourage these beneficial habits.

                By committing ourselves to health and safety, we better 
                enable young people to achieve their goals, live 
                longer, fuller lives, and we strengthen our Nation. The 
                Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18, 1928, 
                as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the 
                designation of the first Monday in October as ``Child 
                Health Day'' and has requested the President to issue a 
                proclamation in observance of this day.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, 
                October 7, 2002, as Child Health Day. On this day, and 
                on every day throughout the year, I call upon families, 
                schools, child health professionals, communities, and 
                governments to help all of our children discover the 
                rewards of good health and wellness.

[[Page 62866]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-25898
Filed 10-8-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P