[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 45 (Monday, November 8, 2004)]
[Page 2797]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7841--National Diabetes Month, 2004

 November 4, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    More than 18 million Americans are estimated to have diabetes. 
Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness, end-stage kidney 
disease, and nontraumatic amputations. It can also double a person's 
risk of heart attack and stroke and can cause nervous system damage and 
premature death. During National Diabetes Month, we seek to raise 
awareness of the impact of diabetes on our citizens, and we recognize 
those committed to improving the treatment and prevention of this 
chronic disease.
    Approximately one million Americans have been diagnosed with type 1 
diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes. It develops from autoimmune, 
genetic, and environmental influences, most often striking children, 
adolescents, and young adults. By developing the disease so young, 
people with type 1 diabetes have a greater risk for serious 
complications. Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 17 million 
Americans, and is most common in people over 40 who are overweight, 
inactive, or have a family history of this disease. While people of all 
backgrounds are affected, type 2 diabetes disproportionately strikes 
African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native 
Americans. The number of Americans with type 2 diabetes has grown 
dramatically, and many more Americans are at high risk for developing 
it.
    My Administration is committed to funding diabetes research. This 
year, the National Institutes of Health dedicated $993 million for 
diabetes research, and I have requested more that $1 billion for 2005, a 
49 percent increase since 2001.
    We are also working to raise awareness of the risk factors 
associated with diabetes. According to clinical research, people at risk 
for type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk by approximately 58 percent if 
they lose a modest amount of weight and stay physically active. Those 
who already live with diabetes can greatly reduce their risk for heart 
disease and stroke by controlling their blood sugar, blood pressure, and 
cholesterol.
     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 November 2004 as 
National Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month 
with appropriate programs and activities.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
November, 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, 9:39 a.m., November 8, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
November 9.