[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.