[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.