    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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.

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    117 STAT. 3013

    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 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.
    GEORGE W. BUSH