[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 24 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Pages 1026-1027]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7793--National Child's Day, 2004

 June 5, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Children are a precious gift and a source of great hope for our 
future. National Child's Day celebrates children and reminds us of the 
importance of nurturing a child's personal development and providing a 
safe environment in which to grow.
    Children need our guidance and support. During this time in 
America's history, teaching our children to love our Nation and its 
values remains a critical responsibility. We need to help young people 
understand that freedom is God's gift to every man and woman and that 
America's legacy is one of ensuring liberty for all. Our children also 
need to know about what other generations have done to build and 
preserve this great country, including the service and sacrifice of the 
men and women who have defended our Nation. To help prepare our next 
generation of leaders to carry on America's tradition of freedom, my 
Administration has launched the ``We the People'' initiative to improve 
the teaching of history and civics in America's schools, along with the 
``Our Documents'' initiative to help make the treasures in our Nation's 
archives more accessible to students and teachers.
    Building a solid foundation of character education for our young 
people helps to keep our country strong. We live by the immutable values 
that families, schools, and religious congregations instill in us. To 
assist these fundamental institutions as they shape generations of 
Americans, my Administration is

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supporting Partnerships in Character Education, which helps establish 
educational programs that focus on caring, civic virtue, citizenship, 
justice, fairness, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. It is 
essential to teach these morals with confidence and conviction, as they 
will guide America's children through their lives.
    Government cannot replace the love of a family in a child's life, 
but it can help create an environment where children can grow into 
healthy, responsible adults. My Administration has taken several steps 
to strengthen education and promote the safety and well-being of 
America's children. I signed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 to 
transform education and open the door of opportunity to all of our 
children. We have also strengthened laws to protect children from 
criminals and expanded the AMBER Alert system to help recover abducted 
children. And because the decisions young people make now can affect 
their health and character for the rest of their lives, my 
Administration is working to send positive messages to children to help 
them make healthy lifestyle choices, avoid the dangers of drug use, and 
to develop healthy eating and exercise habits early in life.
    On National Child's Day, we recognize the importance of working 
together to create a society that is safe for our children, and we renew 
our commitment to helping families build a bright future for young 
people and our Nation.
    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 June 6, 2004, as National 
Child's Day. I urge all Americans to set a positive example for children 
and to work to ensure that their communities are safe and supportive 
places that help young people grow and reach their full potential. I 
also call upon citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, 
ceremonies, and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of 
June, 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, 12:01 p.m., June 7, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on June 8.