[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 44 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Pages 1469-1470]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7725--Protection From Pornography Week, 2003

 October 24, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Pornography can have debilitating effects on communities, marriages, 
families, and children. During Protection From Pornography Week, we 
commit to take steps to confront the dangers of pornography.
    The effects of pornography are particularly pernicious with respect 
to children. The recent enactment of the PROTECT Act of 2003 strengthens 
child pornography laws, establishes the Federal Government's role in the 
AMBER Alert System, increases punishment for Federal crimes against 
children, and authorizes judges to require extended supervision of sex 
offenders who are released from prison.
    We have committed significant resources to the Department of Justice 
to intensify investigative and prosecutorial efforts to combat 
obscenity, child pornography, and child sexual exploitation on the 
Internet. We are vigorously prosecuting and severely punishing those who 
would harm our children.

[[Page 1470]]

Last July, the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation 
Predator, an initiative to help identify child predators, rescue 
children depicted in child pornography, and prosecute those responsible 
for making and distributing child pornography.
    Last year, I signed legislation creating the Dot Kids domain, a 
child-friendly zone on the Internet. The sites on this domain are 
monitored for content and safety, offering parents assurances that their 
children are learning in a healthy environment. Working together with 
law enforcement officials, parents, and other caregivers, we are making 
progress in protecting our children from pornography.
    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 October 26 through 
November 1, 2003, as Protection From Pornography Week. I call upon 
public officials, law enforcement officers, parents, and all the people 
of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs and 
activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth 
day of October, 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, 11:24 a.m., October 27, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 25, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 28.