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

<R04>
Proclamation 7761--Women's History Month, 2004

March 5, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    During Women's History Month, we celebrate the many accomplishments 
of our Nation's women.
    Women are leaders in American business, government, law, science, 
medicine, the arts, education, and many other fields. As mothers, 
sisters, and daughters, they bring compassion and integrity to our 
communities and help to teach our children the values that make our 
country great.
    Women today are following in the footsteps of pioneers such as Sarah 
Pierce, Emma Willard, Catherine Beecher, and Mary Lyon, who helped open 
the doors to higher education for women in our country. Their vision and 
determination changed America forever. Women today also join a long 
tradition of defending our Nation. During the Revolutionary War, 
Margaret Cochran Corbin fought as a gunner and was severely wounded at 
the battle of Fort Washington. Today, more than 200,000 women are 
serving in our Nation's Armed Forces and working to defend America and 
advance peace and freedom. We are grateful for their sacrifice and for 
the military families that support them.
    This month, we celebrate the many ways women strengthen and enrich 
America.
    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 March 2004 as Women's 
History Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
    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.