    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 21 (Monday, May 28, 2001)]
    [Pages 790-791]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7443--National Hurricane Awareness Week, 2001

     May 22, 2001

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        One of the most dramatic, damaging, and potentially deadly weather
    events is a hurricane. Each year on average, six hurricanes develop over
    the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico. Many of these
    remain over the ocean with little or no impact on the continental United
    States. Unfortunately, though, on average five hurricanes strike the
    United States coastline every 3 years. These storms can cause
    significant damage that can cost individuals, businesses, and government
    billions of dollars. Worst of all, however, is the loss that can never
    be recovered: human life.
        Currently more than 48 million people live along hurricane-prone
    coastlines in the United States. The growing number of residents living
    in these areas, as well as the millions of tourists who visit our
    Nation's beaches annually, has increased the difficulties in evacuating
    people from areas that are threatened by an impending hurricane. This
    problem is further compounded by the fact that a large majority of
    people living in these areas have never experienced the force of a major
    hurricane and its devastating impact.
        Increasingly, many Americans have begun working to ensure that
    commonsense measures are implemented to protect themselves and their
    property from natural disasters including floods, tornadoes, and
    earthquakes. Their foresight, hard work, and respect for the awesome
    power of nature often yields great benefits for their communities. They
    are to be commended for this preventive work, and we should learn from
    their example as we plan for future disasters.
        All Americans must be more vigilant about preparing for disasters in
    advance, rather than just responding to them after they occur. Specific
    actions can be taken in advance of a storm that will further protect
    property, help to ensure that businesses are able to resume work quickly
    after a storm, and ultimately save lives. In addition, the Federal
    Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that for every dollar spent
    in damage prevention, two are saved in repairs.
        The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)
    researchers and forecasters continue to improve the accuracy of
    hurricane warnings that enable residents to evacuate and emergency
    personnel to effectively respond well in advance of the storm's arrival.
    In addition, FEMA and NOAA have focused their resources toward
    encouraging community leaders to work with Federal, State, and local
    agencies, as well as

    [[Page 791]]

    volunteer agencies, schools, the private sector, and the news media to
    collectively undertake activities that diminish the destruction of
    natural disasters. For hurricane-prone areas, these measures can include
    residents stockpiling emergency provisions, learning evacuation routes,
    installing hurricane shutters, building residential safe rooms and
    community shelters, adopting stronger building codes, and retrofitting
    existing buildings. These measures have proved effective, and I
    encourage citizens living in these areas to look for ways that they can
    better prepare themselves and their communities to reduce the potential
    devastating impact of these storms.
        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 May 20 through May 26,
    2001, as National Hurricane Awareness Week. I call upon government
    agencies, private organizations, schools, news media, and residents in
    hurricane-prone areas to work towards the prevention of needless storm
    damage and to join me in raising awareness of the hazards posed by
    hurricanes.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second
    day of May, 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, 8:45 a.m., May 23,
    2001]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 24.