[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 21 (Monday, May 24, 2004)]
[Pages 906-907]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7786--National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2004

 May 14, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful forces, bringing 
destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from torrential rains and ocean 
storm surges. Each year, several hurricanes develop off American shores 
in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Some of these 
strike the United States coastline every year, causing numerous 
fatalities and costing billions of dollars in damage. Many Americans are 
vulnerable to the dangers of these storms.
    In recent years, advances in how we predict and track these storms 
have improved preparedness and saved lives, but people living in 
hurricane-prone areas still must be prepared. The National Hurricane 
Center within the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends developing a family 
disaster plan, creating a disaster supply kit, and staying aware of 
current weather situations.
    While citizens make preparations to keep themselves safe, the 
Federal Government is maintaining our commitment to improve forecasts to 
provide advance warning and to coordinate effective emergency response. 
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management 
Agency is also working on a plan to better position disaster equipment 
and supplies, so Federal resources to support local emergency services 
arrive quickly.

[[Page 907]]

    While no policy can eliminate the threat that hurricanes pose to 
lives and property, cooperation among citizens and Federal, State, and 
local officials can reduce the dangers and provide a more effective 
response to these storms.
    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 May 16 through May 22, 
2004, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I call upon government 
agencies, private organizations, schools, news media, and residents in 
hurricane-prone areas to share information about hurricane preparedness 
and response, and to implement steps to minimize storm damage and save 
lives. I also call upon Americans living in the coastal areas of our 
Nation to use this opportunity to learn more about how to protect 
themselves against the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of May, 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., May 18, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 15, and it was published in the Federal Register on May 
19.