[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 22 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Pages 941-942]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7909--National Child's Day, 2005

 June 3, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Children are the future of our country and America's next generation 
of leaders. All of us--parents, families, teachers, mentors, and 
community members--have a responsibility to children to honor and pass 
along the values that sustain a free society. By spending time with a 
young person, adults can help our Nation's youth to make the right 
choices. On National Child's Day, we underscore our commitment to 
supporting children and to helping them realize a bright and hopeful 
future.
    Family is the most important influence in a child's life. Parents 
are teachers, disciplinarians, advisors, and role models. By providing 
hope and stability, parents help children to understand the consequences 
of their actions and to recognize that the decisions they make today can 
affect the rest of their lives. Through initiatives that promote healthy 
marriages, responsible fatherhood, and adoption and foster care 
programs, my Administration is helping to ensure that more young people 
have a foundation of love and support.
    Teachers also make a real difference in children's lives. America's 
educators help our students build character and acquire the skills and 
knowledge they need to succeed as adults. My Administration is insisting 
upon accountability in our public schools. We want every child to have 
an opportunity to realize the great promise of our country.
    By mentoring children and helping them to achieve their dreams, 
Americans can fill their own lives with greater purpose and help make 
our country a better place. Our children benefit from a sense of 
community, and each of us has the power to make a difference in a 
child's life. I have introduced the Helping America's Youth initiative, 
led by First Lady Laura Bush, so that every child can grow up with a 
caring adult in his or her life--whether that adult is a parent, a 
teacher, a coach, or a mentor. I encourage all Americans to volunteer 
their time and talents to benefit our Nation's youth.
    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 June 5, 2005, as National 
Child's Day, and I call upon citizens to observe this day with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also urge all Americans to 
dedicate their time and talents toward helping our Nation's young people 
so that

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all children may reach as far as their vision and character can take 
them.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 
June, 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, 11:32 a.m., June 6, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
June 7.