[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 31 (Monday, August 2, 2004)]
[Page 1379]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7803--Parents' Day, 2004

July 23, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Parents are a source of hope, help, stability, and love for their 
children. Parents also teach children important values like courage, 
compassion, self-reliance, reverence, integrity, and respect for others. 
As we celebrate Parents' Day, we recognize the important contributions 
of America's parents and renew our commitment to standing with our 
families to help them raise healthy, responsible children.
    Parenthood is a privilege and a great joy that comes with great 
responsibility. Mothers and fathers play the vital roles of provider, 
nurturer, disciplinarian, counselor, advocate, educator, and motivator. 
They offer unconditional love and help their children to realize their 
dreams. As parents work to send the right messages to our young people, 
they shape the character and future of our Nation.
    To help strengthen American families and encourage parents' active 
involvement in the lives of their children, my Administration is 
committed to promoting healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood. We 
are providing information to parents on early childhood education and 
development and supporting community-based parenting education programs. 
We are also providing parents with more options in educating their 
children and more opportunities to adopt young boys and girls in need.
    On Parents' Day, we honor America's mothers and fathers for their 
guidance, support, and unconditional love for their children. The 
tireless efforts of parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, and foster 
parents make our Nation stronger and help build a better future for all 
our citizens.
    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 and consistent with Public Law 103-362, as 
amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 25, 2004, as Parents' Day. I 
encourage all Americans to express their love, respect, and appreciation 
to parents across our Nation. 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 twenty-third 
day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:09 a.m., July 29, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 
30. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.