[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10649-10650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5372]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 43 / Wednesday, March 5, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 10649]]


                Proclamation 7652 of February 28, 2003

                
Save Your Vision Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year, the number of Americans who suffer from 
                vision loss increases, yet half of all blindness can be 
                prevented through early detection and treatment. During 
                Save Your Vision Week, we renew our commitment to 
                protecting eyesight by promoting healthy eye care and 
                by encouraging Americans to receive routine vision 
                screenings and dilated eye exams.

                Our sense of sight affects how we work, communicate, 
                and learn. All Americans must be aware of the risk of 
                vision loss and take steps to preserve and protect 
                their eyesight, beginning with getting regular eye 
                exams, using the appropriate protective eyewear, and 
                maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These small steps can 
                make a big difference. When Americans take 
                responsibility for improving their health, our whole 
                society benefits.

                Healthy vision is especially critical to our children's 
                ability to receive a good education and establish a 
                strong foundation in life. According to the American 
                Optometric Association, 80 percent of learning depends 
                on vision, yet 86 percent of children entering school 
                have not had a thorough eye examination. Due to 
                hereditary and prenatal factors, from a very early age, 
                many children are at high risk for potentially severe 
                eye diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity 
                (ROP), amblyopia, and congenital glaucoma. One in four 
                kids will develop myopia as teenagers. Children need 
                regular eye care from birth to prevent and treat 
                conditions that lead to visual impairment and 
                blindness. Parents play a key role in obtaining eye 
                care for their children and must be knowledgeable about 
                the potential threats to a child's eyesight. For the 
                future of our Nation, it is vital that we care for the 
                visual health and well-being of America's children so 
                they are able to reach their full potential.

                As part of my HealthierUS Initiative and my 
                Administration's ongoing commitment to helping the 
                American people live healthier lives, I encourage all 
                Americans to get preventative health screenings. These 
                screenings may tell you if you are prone to developing 
                certain diseases, can help protect your vision, and 
                could even save your life. I particularly urge parents 
                to ask their children's doctors about vision screenings 
                and eye exams, which can help ensure eye diseases and 
                conditions are detected and treated early, when 
                treatment is most effective. Through education about 
                healthy vision and promotion of good eye care, we help 
                protect the eyesight of countless people across our 
                Nation.

                The Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 
                1963, as amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has 
                authorized and requested the President to proclaim the 
                first week in March of each year as ``Save Your Vision 
                Week.'' During this week, I encourage all Americans to 
                learn more about ways to prevent eye problems and to 
                help others maintain the precious gift of sight.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 2 
                through March 8, 2003, as Save Your Vision Week. I urge 
                all Americans to make eye care and eye safety an 
                important part of their lives and to include dilated 
                eye examinations

[[Page 10650]]

                in their regular health maintenance programs. I invite 
                eye care professionals, teachers, the media, and all 
                public and private organizations dedicated to 
                preserving eyesight to join in activities that will 
                raise awareness of measures all Americans can take to 
                protect and sustain our vision.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-eighth day of February, 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. 03-5372
Filed 3-4-03; 9:12 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P