[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 10 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Pages 380-381]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7874--Save Your Vision Week, 2005

 March 4, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Eye disease causes suffering, loss of productivity, and diminished 
quality of life for millions of Americans. During Save Your Vision Week, 
we raise awareness of eye disease and encourage all our citizens to take 
action to safeguard their eyesight.

[[Page 381]]

    As people age, they can develop conditions that affect eyesight, 
including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disorders, dry eye, and low 
vision. Through regular eye exams, many of these problems can be 
detected and treated early, reducing the risk of vision loss. The 
National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health 
(NIH), suggests five steps for all Americans to take to protect their 
eyesight: regular physical exams; a complete eye exam every 1 to 2 
years; a check of family history; immediate attention if you notice any 
loss of eyesight, eye pain, or other eye problems; and use of sunglasses 
and a hat to protect eyes from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.
    My Administration is committed to helping Americans lead better, 
healthier lives. We have doubled funding for the NIH, helping the United 
States to stay on the leading edge of medical research and technological 
change. Through education, prevention, early detection, and further 
research into effective treatments for eye disease, we can bring hope 
and comfort to our citizens and help more Americans keep the precious 
gift of sight.
    The Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963, as 
amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has authorized and requested the 
President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as ``Save 
Your Vision Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim March 6 through March 12, 2005, as Save Your 
Vision Week. I encourage eye care professionals, teachers, the media, 
and public and private organizations dedicated to preserving eyesight to 
join in activities that will raise awareness of the measures all 
citizens can take to protect vision.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, 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., March 8, 
2005]

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