[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 13 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Pages 535-536]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7419--National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2001

 March 28, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Every child deserves to live in a safe, permanent, and caring 
family. Regrettably, abuse and neglect continue to threaten the well-
being of many young Americans. Each year, more than 800,000 confirmed 
incidents of maltreatment of children and more than 1,000 abuse-related 
child fatalities plague our country. We can, and must, do more to fight 
these tragedies and to protect our children from harm.
    Prevention remains the best defense for our children. State 
Community-Based Family Resource and Support programs sponsor activities 
promoting public awareness about child abuse and information on how to 
stop it. Additional initiatives offer education and training to mothers, 
fathers, and other caretakers. Collaboration among schools, government 
agencies, faith-based organizations, businesses, community groups, and 
law enforcement play an important role in helping such efforts to 
succeed.
    During the month of April, let our Nation and her people reaffirm 
the commitment to making a positive difference in ending child abuse and 
neglect. Each individual needs to help. Organize or join a community 
group that offers information or assistance to parents and families. Be 
vigilant for signs of abuse exhibited by young people in your community. 
Encourage trust in and support for law enforcement agencies. By speaking 
out against child abuse and neglect and cultivating an environment that 
nurtures and

[[Page 536]]

strengthens families, we can give boys and girls the safe, stable, and 
loving homes they need. They will be able to enter the classroom each 
day ready to learn, with improved self-esteem. They will be encouraged 
to reach their full potential as individuals and as members of 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 April 2001, as National 
Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all Americans to join in the 
vital task of protecting young people from harm, and I commend the many 
dedicated parents, educators, social workers, and other concerned 
citizens who lead by example in doing right by our children.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 
day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:40 a.m., March 28, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 
29.