[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 2002)]
[Pages 1700-1701]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7603--Child Health Day, 2002

 October 4, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Child Health Day, we renew our commitment to the well-being and 
safety of our children. Parents, families, teachers, and neighbors all 
play important roles in preparing children to face life's physical, 
spiritual, intellectual, and emotional demands. For the future of our 
country, we must work together to provide our young people with the 
knowledge and skills they need to be safe, self-confident, and 
successful.
    From maintaining a healthy environment and high safety standards to 
providing immunizations and quality health care, children rely on our 
vigilance and support. Each year, 30 million children require emergency 
care due to acute illness and injury. We can all take important steps to 
help prevent these accidents and to improve the health and safety of 
young Americans.
    Parents and other caregivers should be aware of the latest safety 
precautions and pay careful attention to consumer safety warnings. They 
should always secure infants, toddlers, and small children in safety 
seats and booster seats. Children should be taught always to wear their 
seatbelts when riding in a vehicle and to use protective gear when 
riding a bicycle, roller blading, skate boarding, playing sports, and 
participating in other similar activities. Parents should set a good 
example by refraining from smoking and should teach their children about 
the health risks of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
    Child obesity has become a serious problem in this country. About 8 
million young Americans--almost 15 percent of all children--are 
overweight. Obesity can cause medical complications that can lead to 
hospitalization for type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and asthma. Ensuring 
regular participation in physical activity can help children manage 
weight, control blood pressure, and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and 
joints.
    My Administration is strongly committed to advancing programs that 
help children discover and understand the benefits of healthy living. 
The recently introduced HealthierUS Initiative will help Americans 
improve their health and quality of life through modest improvements in 
physical activity, nutrition, getting preventive screenings, and making 
healthy choices. Families play a vital role and can help to promote and 
encourage these beneficial habits.
    By committing ourselves to health and safety, we better enable young 
people to achieve their goals, live longer, fuller lives, and we 
strengthen our Nation. The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 
18, 1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the designation of 
the first Monday in October as ``Child Health Day'' and has requested 
the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 7, 2002, as Child Health 
Day. On this day, and on every day throughout the year, I call upon 
families, schools, child health professionals, communities, and 
governments to help all of our children discover the rewards of good 
health and wellness.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
October, 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., October 8, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 5, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 9.

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