[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 6 (Monday, February 9, 2004)]
[Pages 182-183]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7755--National Consumer Protection Week, 2004

February 2, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Every day, America's consumers conduct millions of financial 
transactions. During National Consumer Protection Week, we recognize 
those who help to safeguard our citizens from consumer fraud, and we 
encourage all Americans to be informed consumers. This year's theme, 
``Financial Literacy: Earning a Lifetime of Dividends,'' highlights the 
importance of financial education to consumer protection.
    The Federal Government provides many educational resources and 
programs to help protect Americans against fraud by giving them 
information about their options in the marketplace. The Federal Trade 
Commission and more than 100 other Federal agencies have collaborated on 
a website, www.consumer.gov, which provides helpful information ranging 
from how credit ratings work to how to buy a new car. The Department of 
the Treasury has also established an Office of Financial Education to 
oversee inter-agency efforts to coordinate and expand financial 
education initiatives.
    In addition, my Administration is working to expand financial 
literacy for potential homeowners. We have doubled the funds for housing 
and financial counseling services, including those run by faith-based 
and community groups, and we are distributing millions of dollars in 
grants to national, State, and local organizations that promote home 
buyer education and counseling. The Department of Housing and Urban 
Development is also

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collaborating with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to expand 
the ``Money Smart'' financial education program in public housing. 
Education about the home-buying process not only protects our citizens 
from consumer fraud, but also empowers them to achieve their dreams.
    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 February 1 through 
February 7, 2004, as National Consumer Protection Week. I call upon 
government officials, industry leaders, and consumer advocates to 
provide consumers with information about the lifetime benefits of 
financial literacy, and I encourage all citizens to take advantage of 
the resources that can help them become responsible consumers, savers, 
and investors.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, 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, 10:12 a.m., February 4, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
February 5. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language version of this proclamation.