[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7819 of September 21, 2004


 
National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, 2004


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout our history, the members of the National Guard and Reserve
have served our country with honor. Our Nation depends on the dedication
of these citizen-soldiers, and our Guardsmen and Reservists rely on the
support of their civilian employers to allow them to fulfill their
service obligations. During National Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve Week, we honor the sacrifice of these brave men and women, and
we express our gratitude for the commitment of their employers.
As we fight terror and advance freedom, members of the National Guard
and Reserve are making vital contributions around the world as fully
integrated components of our Nation's Armed Forces. At home, they are
called on to protect our communities, preserve order, and provide
assistance in times of natural disaster, balancing the demands of their
families, civilian careers, and military commitments. These Guardsmen
and Reservists are indispensable to our Nation's efforts to promote
democracy, peace, and freedom around the world, and we salute their
selfless service.
Employers also play a critical role in our Nation's defense,
demonstrating their patriotism by supporting the training and
mobilization of these brave individuals. Across America, business
owners, school personnel, hospital administrators, and many others put
our country's safety and security first when they provide time off, pay,
health care benefits, and job security to their Guard and Reserve
employees. These sacrifices help strengthen our country and allow our
men and women in uniform to focus on the missions at hand. The
generosity and public spirit of these employers have earned them the
appreciation of our Nation.
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 September 26 through
October 2, 2004, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Week. I encourage all Americans to join me in expressing our thanks to
the civilian employers and the members of our National Guard and Reserve
for their patriotism and sacrifices on behalf of our Nation. I also call
upon State and local officials, private organizations, businesses, and
all military commanders to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies
and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

PROCLAMATION 7820--SEPT. 24, 2004

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118 STAT. 4183