[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65281-65282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27192]



[[Page 65279]]

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Part VII





The President





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Proclamation 7612--National Character Counts Week, 2002



Proclamation 7613--National Forest Products Week, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 23, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 65281]]

                Proclamation 7612 of October 18, 2002

                
National Character Counts Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                President Theodore Roosevelt once said that, 
                ``Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in 
                the life of an individual and of nations alike.'' 
                During National Character Counts Week, Americans 
                reaffirm our dedication to promoting good character and 
                upholding the timeless virtues that make our Nation 
                strong.

                Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would 
                survive and flourish if our Nation was committed to 
                good character and an unyielding dedication to liberty 
                and justice for all. Throughout our history, our most 
                honorable heroes practiced the values of hard work and 
                honesty, commitment to excellence and courage, and 
                self-discipline and perseverance. Today, as we work to 
                preserve peace and freedom throughout the world, we are 
                guided by a national character that respects human 
                dignity and values every life.

                The future success of our Nation depends on our 
                children's ability to understand the difference between 
                right and wrong and to have the strength of character 
                to make the right choices. To help them reach their 
                full potential and live with integrity and pride, we 
                must teach our children to be kind, responsible, 
                honest, and self-disciplined. These important values 
                are first learned in the family, but all of our 
                citizens have an obligation to support parents in the 
                character education of our children.

                Our schools play a crucial role in teaching the skills, 
                knowledge, and moral values that will help our children 
                succeed. As Martin Luther King, Jr., stated, ``. . . 
                intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus 
                character--that is the goal of true education.'' By 
                guiding children to understand universal values such as 
                respect, tolerance, compassion, and commitment to 
                family and community, our schools are working to 
                achieve this goal.

                My Administration is committed to promoting character 
                by encouraging public service and civic awareness. The 
                USA Freedom Corps is helping citizens discover 
                volunteer opportunities in their communities and 
                spreading the message that everyone can do something to 
                care for their neighbors in need. This past June, we 
                convened the White House Conference on Character and 
                Community, which showcased programs from around the 
                country that are proving that sound values can be 
                effectively taught.

                By affirming the importance of good character in our 
                society and encouraging all people to lead lives of 
                virtuous purpose, we can prepare our Nation, and 
                especially our Nation's children, for the challenges 
                and opportunities that lie ahead. Strengthening our 
                national character will help secure greater 
                opportunity, prosperity, and hope for all.

                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 20 through October 
                26, 2002, as National Character Counts Week. I call 
                upon all public officials, educators, librarians, and 
                all the people of the United States to observe this 
                week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

[[Page 65282]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth 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. 02-27192
Filed 10-22-02; 9:07 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P