[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 58257-58258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25652]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 58257]]


                Proclamation 7714 of October 3, 2003

                
Marriage Protection Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Marriage is a sacred institution, and its protection is 
                essential to the continued strength of our society. 
                Marriage Protection Week provides an opportunity to 
                focus our efforts on preserving the sanctity of 
                marriage and on building strong and healthy marriages 
                in America.

                Marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and my 
                Administration is working to support the institution of 
                marriage by helping couples build successful marriages 
                and be good parents.

                To encourage marriage and promote the well-being of 
                children, I have proposed a healthy marriage initiative 
                to help couples develop the skills and knowledge to 
                form and sustain healthy marriages. Research has shown 
                that, on average, children raised in households headed 
                by married parents fare better than children who grow 
                up in other family structures. Through education and 
                counseling programs, faith-based, community, and 
                government organizations promote healthy marriages and 
                a better quality of life for children. By supporting 
                responsible child-rearing and strong families, my 
                Administration is seeking to ensure that every child 
                can grow up in a safe and loving home.

                We are also working to make sure that the Federal 
                Government does not penalize marriage. My tax relief 
                package eliminated the marriage penalty. And as part of 
                the welfare reform package I have proposed, we will do 
                away with the rules that have made it more difficult 
                for married couples to move out of poverty.

                We must support the institution of marriage and help 
                parents build stronger families. And we must continue 
                our work to create a compassionate, welcoming society, 
                where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

                During Marriage Protection Week, I call on all 
                Americans to join me in expressing support for the 
                institution of marriage with all its benefits to our 
                people, our culture, and our society.

                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 the week of October 12 
                through October 18, 2003, as Marriage Protection Week. 
                I call upon the people of the United States to observe 
                this week with appropriate programs, activities, and 
                ceremonies.

[[Page 58258]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-25652
Filed 10-7-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P