[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 30 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Pages 1265-1266]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7580--Parents' Day, 2002

 July 26, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Parenthood is a profound blessing, bringing with it responsibilities 
that are both challenging and rewarding. The care, dedication, and 
attention of parents are critical to their children's success. As they 
teach, guide, and nurture, parents help their children to realize their 
potential and achieve their dreams. Parents also play a critical role in 
shaping their children's character by sharing important life-lessons and 
values and showing them how to love and care for others.
    As we face the challenges of a new era, families remain the 
foundation of our civil society; and parents are the cornerstone of 
strong families. This important responsibility often presents difficult 
problems and trying circumstances as parents balance competing demands 
such as making a living, raising their children, and participating in 
their communities.
    Our Nation has made great progress in recognizing the importance of 
effective parenting, but there is still much to do. My Administration is 
committed to promoting a

[[Page 1266]]

healthier society by helping parents build stronger families. Many 
studies have shown that children do better in two-parent households 
where the parents are married; and as part of our plan to promote the 
well-being of children, I have committed significant resources to 
programs that encourage healthy and stable marriages. While no law can 
ensure that people love one another, we can support initiatives that 
help couples learn how to build successful marriages and be good 
parents.
    My Administration supports community-based efforts that help 
delinquent fathers improve their lives so they can become effective 
parents. With job training, employment, counseling, and career 
advancement education, we hope to make it easier for more fathers to 
have positive relationships with their sons and daughters. We have also 
taken important steps to empower and inform parents through the No Child 
Left Behind Act, ensuring that they will be vital partners in their 
children's education. Further, every child in America deserves to live 
in a safe, stable, and loving family; my Administration is committed to 
increasing public awareness about the importance of adoption and to 
encouraging Americans to consider adopting children. By pursuing these 
significant measures, we increase compassion in our society, and we make 
America a better place for all.
    The nurturing and development of children require widespread 
investment, focus, and commitment. While Government plays an important 
role in this process, citizens, schools, and civic institutions must 
also assist parents by reaching out to help meet the needs of young 
people in their communities. By working together to provide for our 
children, we will show them the way to a brighter future.
    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 and consistent with Public Law 103-362, as 
amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 28, 2002, as Parents' Day. I 
encourage all Americans to join me in honoring the millions of mothers 
and fathers, biological and adoptive, foster parents, and stepparents, 
whose selfless love and determined efforts influence lives for the good 
of their children and our Nation. I also urge all Americans to express 
their love, respect, and appreciation to our parents, and I call upon 
all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth 
day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 30, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
July 31.