[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10825-10826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2083]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

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[[Page 10825]]


                Proclamation 7986 of February 27, 2006

                
Save Your Vision Week, 2006

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Many Americans suffer from diseases and disorders of 
                the eye that can affect their vision and quality of 
                life. During Save Your Vision Week, we highlight how 
                basic eye care and protection can help citizens 
                maintain and enjoy healthy eyesight.

                An important part of ensuring physical well-being 
                includes making healthy choices and adopting habits 
                that can prevent disease and injury. Many of the 
                problems that lead to blindness each year can be 
                avoided with simple steps to protect the eyes, such as 
                wearing sunglasses and using protective eyewear while 
                working in hazardous environments or participating in 
                sports.

                Because the first noticeable symptom of many eye 
                diseases is often vision loss, early detection is 
                vital. As a result of the Medicare Modernization Act, 
                diabetes screenings and glaucoma tests for eligible 
                beneficiaries are now covered by Medicare as a part of 
                an initial physical exam for new Medicare 
                beneficiaries. Medicare also covers glaucoma screenings 
                for beneficiaries with diabetes who are at high risk or 
                have a family history of the disease. I encourage 
                America's seniors to act to preserve their vision by 
                taking advantage of this health care benefit. And I 
                urge all Americans to have regular eye examinations as 
                part of their health care routines.

                By raising awareness about the importance of preventing 
                eye problems and the measures citizens can take to 
                protect their vision and by providing greater access 
                for the detection and treatment of eye diseases, we can 
                continue to work toward a healthier Nation where more 
                Americans enjoy the gift of healthy vision.

                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.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 5 
                through March 11, 2006, as Save Your Vision Week. I 
                encourage all Americans to make eye care and eye safety 
                an important part of their lives.

[[Page 10826]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 06-2083
Filed 3-1-06; 12:05 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P