[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 48 (Monday, December 3, 2001)]
[Page 1731]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7508--National Hospice Month, 2001

 November 29, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Each year, approximately 700,000 terminally ill patients and their 
families rely on the invaluable end-of-life care provided by the 3,100 
hospice programs located in the United States. Hospice care allows a 
terminally ill individual to receive professional medical services, pain 
management therapy, and emotional and spiritual support, without having 
to enter a hospital. This focus on the patient's quality of life during 
his or her last illness can make the best of the most challenging of 
situations.
    Hospices create a compassionate atmosphere where patients will be 
able to die with dignity, preferably in their home environment, 
surrounded and supported by loved ones, familiar friends, and committed 
caregivers. Professional and compassionate hospice staff and volunteers, 
including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and clergy, 
provide comprehensive care and attend to the particular needs and wishes 
of each patient. Family members and friends also receive counseling and 
bereavement care that help them cope with the impending loss of their 
loved one.
    Individuals and groups in the private and public sectors are working 
together to strengthen and expand hospice programs and to promote their 
services as a positive alternative for terminally ill patients. Today, 
hospice care is a full partner in our Nation's health care system, 
furthering our efforts to provide medical services in more compassionate 
and cost-effective ways. More important, providing high-quality hospice 
care reaffirms our belief in the essential dignity of every person, 
regardless of age, health, or social status, and that every stage of 
human life deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care. My 
Administration remains committed to supporting health care programs like 
hospice that encourage quality medical care and frequent doctor-patient 
interaction.
    With the observance of National Hospice Month, we recognize those 
who serve in our Nation's hospices, often as caregivers in the homes of 
hospice patients. Caring for a terminally ill patient can be emotionally 
painful, physically exhausting, and financially difficult. I call on all 
Americans to honor the professionals and volunteers who dedicate their 
lives to aiding the terminally ill through hospices. And we should use 
this observance as an opportunity to encourage and help those who take 
on the challenge of caring for a terminally ill patient in their home or 
in a hospice facility.
     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 November 2001 as 
National Hospice Month. I encourage Americans to increase their 
awareness of the importance and availability of hospice service and to 
observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.
     In Witness Whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 
day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., December 3, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 30, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on December 4.