    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 39 (Monday, September 27, 2004)]
    [Pages 2082-2083]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7819--National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
    Week, 2004

    September 21, 2004

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

        Throughout our history, the members of the National Guard and
    Reserve have served our country with honor. Our Nation depends on the
    dedication of these citizen-soldiers, and our Guardsmen and Reservists
    rely on the support of their civilian employers to allow them to fulfill
    their service obligations. During National Employer Support of the Guard
    and Reserve Week, we honor the sacrifice of these brave men and women,
    and we express our gratitude for the commitment of their employers.
        As we fight terror and advance freedom, members of the National
    Guard and Reserve are making vital contributions around the world as
    fully integrated components of our Nation's Armed Forces. At home, they
    are called on to protect our communities, preserve order, and provide
    assistance in times of natural disaster, balancing the demands of their
    families, civilian careers, and military

    [[Page 2083]]

    commitments. These Guardsmen and Reservists are indispensable to our
    Nation's efforts to promote democracy, peace, and freedom around the
    world, and we salute their selfless service.
        Employers also play a critical role in our Nation's defense,
    demonstrating their patriotism by supporting the training and
    mobilization of these brave individuals. Across America, business
    owners, school personnel, hospital administrators, and many others put
    our country's safety and security first when they provide time off, pay,
    health care benefits, and job security to their Guard and Reserve
    employees. These sacrifices help strengthen our country and allow our
    men and women in uniform to focus on the missions at hand. The
    generosity and public spirit of these employers have earned them the
    appreciation of 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 September 26 through
    October 2, 2004, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
    Week. I encourage all Americans to join me in expressing our thanks to
    the civilian employers and the members of our National Guard and Reserve
    for their patriotism and sacrifices on behalf of our Nation. I also call
    upon State and local officials, private organizations, businesses, and
    all military commanders to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies
    and activities.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first
    day of September, 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, 8:45 a.m., September
    23, 2004]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on
    September 24.