[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 45 (Monday, November 11, 2002)]
[Pages 1934-1935]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7621--National Hospice Month, 2002

November 1, 2002

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Hospice organizations provide people who are near the end of their 
lives with family-centered, quality care, that emphasizes compassion, 
independence, respect, and dignity. During National Hospice Month, our 
Nation pays tribute to hospice care and the persons and organizations 
involved with it, by recognizing and honoring its value and importance 
for people who are dying, for their families and friends, and for our 
communities.

[[Page 1935]]

    Hospice has emerged as a successful model of care that helps 
terminally ill individuals achieve practical, physical, psychological, 
and spiritual goals. According to the National Hospice and Palliative 
Care Organization (NHPCO), in 2001, an estimated 3,200 operating hospice 
programs in the United States admitted about 775,000 patients. Hospice 
care relies upon a team of committed physicians, nurses, medical social 
workers, therapists, counselors, and volunteers. This team provides 
medical services that are designed to improve the comfort of the 
patient, manage symptoms, provide proper nutrition, and deal with other 
difficulties such as emotional distress and grief. Hospice care also 
provides important emotional and spiritual support to families and 
friends as they cope with their impending loss.
    While we have made great progress in encouraging hospice care, much 
work remains to be done to increase awareness of hospice and its 
benefits. The NHPCO reports that in 2000, 2.4 million people in our 
Nation died. It is estimated that one in four used hospice care and 
services. Also, many people at the end of life are referred to hospice 
only a few days before death. By strengthening and expanding hospice 
programs and working to promote, where appropriate, their services as a 
positive alternative for terminally ill patients, we can make a 
difference in the lives of countless Americans.
    As we observe National Hospice Month, we applaud hospice 
organizations, health professionals, and other caregivers for their 
dedication to ensuring respect and quality of life for all. We also 
reaffirm our commitment as a Nation to honoring the dignity of every 
person and to promoting compassion and concern for our fellow citizens.
    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 2002 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 first day of 
November, 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, 8:46 a.m., November 5, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 6. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.