[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 35 (Monday, September 1, 2003)]
[Page 1123]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7697--Family Day, 2003

 August 28, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Children thrive in loving families where they are taught, nurtured, 
and comforted. By spending time with our children and stressing the 
importance of making the right choices, parents and other family members 
help them develop into confident, successful individuals.
    Families can help secure a healthy tomorrow for their children by 
providing guidance, staying involved, and serving as role models. I am 
committed to supporting strong families and strong marriages to help 
ensure that every child grows up in a safe, loving family. Statistics 
show that children from two-parent families are less likely to end up in 
poverty, drop out of school, become addicted to drugs, have a child out 
of wedlock, suffer abuse, or become a violent criminal. Because stable 
families should be the central goal of American welfare policy, I have 
proposed spending up to $300 million a year to find the most effective 
programs to strengthen marriage.
    Parents play a critical role in discouraging harmful behavior such 
as experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Research shows that 
teens often listen to their parents when it comes to decisions about 
harmful substances and risky behaviors. Regular family activities 
provide opportunities for parents to communicate important messages and 
enhance their relationships with their children. Recent studies from the 
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University 
found that teens from families who eat dinner together were less likely 
to use illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, while teenagers who 
rarely eat dinner with their parents were more likely to engage in these 
unhealthy activities.
    Families and all Americans can act together to educate our youth 
about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and help them grow into healthy, 
responsible, compassionate citizens. In order to ensure a brighter 
future for our Nation, and safe, healthy, and happy lives for our 
children, our children must learn that avoiding harmful substances is an 
ongoing responsibility. As we work to educate our next generation about 
making healthy choices, we renew our commitment to the American family.
     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 September 22, 2003, as 
Family Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this 
day by engaging in activities to strengthen the relationships between 
parents and children and help fight against substance abuse and risky 
behaviors.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 
day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 2, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 3.