[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 11 (Monday, March 15, 2004)]
[Pages 350-351]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7762--Save Your Vision Week, 2004

March 5, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Millions of Americans enjoy healthy vision. Yet, each year, many of 
our citizens suffer from vision loss that could have been prevented or 
reversed with effective detection and appropriate intervention. 
Commemorating Save Your Vision Week reminds us of the importance of 
including eye care as part of a regular preventive health routine.
    Eating healthy foods, wearing safety glasses, and avoiding the 
harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays are ways to help to keep 
our eyes healthy. Regular, comprehensive

[[Page 351]]

exams are also important to maintain good vision and eye health. For 
children, regular eye exams can help parents ensure that their 
children's vision is developing normally and can identify a problem 
before it becomes more serious. For adults, eye care professionals can 
detect glaucoma and eye damage from diabetes in the early stages of 
progression, thereby preventing further harm. Diabetes can seriously 
affect vision in addition to general health. An estimated 40 to 45 
percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes will develop some degree 
of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of new cases of blindness in 
working-age Americans that often presents few warning signs and no pain. 
Other eye diseases such as glaucoma may cause vision damage and eventual 
blindness without the individual being aware of a problem.
    The Department of Health and Human Services is working to identify 
opportunities to improve the health of all Americans through Healthy 
People 2010, a national disease prevention plan. This plan includes the 
Healthy Vision 2010 Initiative, which is addressing many of the 
challenges posed by the loss or impairment of vision.
    The Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963, as 
amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has authorized and requested the 
President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as ``Save 
Your Vision Week.'' During this week, I encourage all Americans to learn 
more about ways to prevent eye problems for themselves and to help 
others maintain the precious gift of sight.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim March 7 through March 13, 2004, as Save Your 
Vision Week. I urge all Americans to participate by making eye care and 
eye safety an important part of their lives and to get regular eye 
examinations. I also encourage eye care professionals, teachers, the 
media, and all public and private organizations dedicated to preserving 
eyesight to join in activities that will raise awareness of the measures 
all citizens can take to protect vision.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of 
March, 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, 8:45 a.m., March 9, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on March 6, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
March 10.