[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 4887-4888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2366]



[[Page 4885]]

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Part VIII





The President





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Proclamation 7643--National Consumer Protection Week, 2003
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 4887]]

                Proclamation 7643 of January 27, 2003

                
National Consumer Protection Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Few technologies have become fixtures in our daily 
                lives as quickly as computers and the Internet. Today, 
                more than half of all Americans log on to the Internet, 
                and that number is growing. Our access to information, 
                entertainment, credit and banking, products, and 
                services from every corner of the world is greater than 
                ever before. As our personal information becomes more 
                accessible, consumers, corporations, and government 
                agencies must take precautions against the misuse of 
                that information.

                Computer technology and the Internet have 
                revolutionized our ability to communicate and share 
                knowledge. This new freedom offers incredible 
                opportunities; but as individuals and as a Nation, we 
                must guard against the misuse of personal information 
                and identity theft. The theme of this year's National 
                Consumer Protection Week is ``Information Security,'' 
                and during this week we resolve to help all Americans 
                learn how to keep personal information secure.

                For consumers, securing a computer is a matter of 
                routine maintenance and caution. Effective passwords, 
                firewalls, and up-to-date antivirus software can help 
                protect computers, and the personal or business 
                information we store on them, from those who would 
                damage a network operation or steal personal 
                information to commit a crime. By practicing effective 
                information security measures, all citizens can 
                contribute to the protection of our national 
                information infrastructure.

                To assist consumers, public and private entities have 
                joined forces to highlight the importance of 
                information security. They include the Federal Trade 
                Commission, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal 
                Inspection Service, the Federal Consumer Information 
                Center, the National Association of Attorneys General, 
                the National Consumers League, the American Association 
                of Retired Persons, the Better Business Bureau, the 
                Consumer Federation of America, and the National 
                Association of Consumer Agency Administrators. The 
                National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace also offers 
                guidance for the full range of computer users on 
                information security. By working together, we can help 
                consumers and businesses understand how information 
                security affects their decisions at home and in the 
                marketplace.

                During National Consumer Protection Week, I encourage 
                all Americans to take the appropriate steps to ensure 
                the security of their personal or sensitive 
                information. By learning ways to safeguard this data, 
                individuals can help ensure their financial security, 
                and contribute to the strength and prosperity of our 
                Nation.

                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 February 2 through 8, 2003, 
                as National Consumer Protection Week. I call upon 
                Government officials, industry leaders, and consumer 
                advocates to provide consumers with information about 
                how we can help safeguard the economic future of all 
                Americans by keeping our personal information secure.

[[Page 4888]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-2366
Filed 1-29-03; 9:52 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P