[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18081-18082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9364]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 72 / Tuesday, April 15, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 18081]]

                Proclamation 7662 of April 10, 2003

                
Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As a Nation, we must work to ensure that all our 
                children have the opportunity to reach their full 
                potential and achieve their dreams. On Education and 
                Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003, we renew our commitment to 
                providing quality education and to teaching our 
                children the values that prepare them for lives as good 
                neighbors and citizens.

                Education has always been one of our Nation's top 
                priorities. We place great reliance and confidence in 
                our public education system, recognizing that it is one 
                of the most important institutions of our free society. 
                By helping our young citizens learn and develop skills, 
                education has spurred our progress and prosperity, 
                driven our Nation's economy, and enriched our culture.

                Over the last 2 years, my Administration has taken 
                significant action to transform public education in 
                America. In one of the most comprehensive reforms ever 
                passed, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 
                strengthened our school systems and affirmed our 
                fundamental belief in the promise of every child. By 
                raising expectations and insisting on results, we can 
                make a difference in the lives of all our children.

                As part of our commitment to our children's future, we 
                must also teach young Americans to live lives of 
                integrity and purpose, and to realize the importance of 
                loving others and contributing to their communities. 
                These values are first learned within the family, but 
                all of our citizens, and especially our teachers, can 
                support parents in the character education of our 
                children. By guiding young people to understand 
                universal values such as tolerance, honesty, commitment 
                to family, service to others, and respect for the 
                dignity of every life, our schools and communities can 
                help our Nation fulfill its great potential.

                For the past 19 years, on the anniversary of his birth, 
                we have recognized the contributions of the Rabbi 
                Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe who 
                was instrumental in establishing numerous educational, 
                social, and rehabilitative institutions. The Rebbe 
                believed that education is critical in cultivating the 
                moral character of students. He lived what he said: ``A 
                single good deed on your part could transform the 
                world.''

                Today in the United States, there is a growing momentum 
                of acts of kindness. Across our country, millions of 
                Americans are helping to reinforce a culture of 
                service, citizenship, and responsibility, and are 
                applying the compassion of America to our biggest 
                problems and deepest wounds. To build on these 
                successes, we must instill these values in our next 
                generation of leaders. Amidst a world of challenges, we 
                can equip our children to carry our Nation into a 
                future of promise and possibility 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 April 13, 2003, as Education 
                and Sharing Day, U.S.A. I call upon all Americans to 
                invest in our Nation's future by helping our children 
                understand the importance

[[Page 18082]]

                of character and provide them the knowledge and values 
                necessary to succeed.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of April, 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. 03-9364
Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P