[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 44 (Monday, November 7, 2005)]
[Pages 1643-1644]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7953--National Diabetes Month, 2005

 November 2, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Americans of all ages and backgrounds live with diabetes. Nearly 21 
million of our citizens have this disease, and researchers estimate that 
more than 6 million of these individuals have not been diagnosed and are 
unaware they have it. National Diabetes Month is an opportunity to 
educate citizens about diabetes and what they can do to help prevent and 
treat this disease.
    Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, destroys insulin-
producing cells and usually strikes children and teenagers. Nearly 95 
percent of all diabetics suffer from type 2 diabetes, a condition in 
which the body fails to produce or to use insulin properly. Type 2 
diabetes typically occurs in inactive or obese adults or individuals 
with a family history of the disease and now increasingly appears in 
inactive or overweight children. Because of a lack of insulin, diabetics 
face potential blindness, nontraumatic amputations, kidney disease, and 
increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
    Studies have shown that minor weight loss and daily exercise can 
help prevent and reduce the effects of diabetes. I encourage all 
Americans to follow the new dietary guidelines released by the 
Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year that emphasize 
the importance of nutritious foods and regular physical activity. In 
addition to taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle, Americans should 
consult their doctors for preventive screenings to detect diabetes in 
its earliest stages. Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, 
and Modernization Act of 2003, these screenings are now covered for 
Medicare beneficiaries. These simple tests can save lives and help 
prevent this potentially life-threatening illness.
    My Administration remains committed to fighting diabetes through 
research and prevention, and we will continue to support the

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National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others in their efforts to 
combat this disease. This year, the NIH dedicated more than $1 billion 
to diabetes research. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) and the NIH are also sponsoring the National Diabetes Education 
Program, which has helped to inform more than 180 million Americans in 
the last 3 years about healthy choices and the risk factors of diabetes.
    During National Diabetes Month and throughout the year, we pay 
tribute to the doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers, and all those 
dedicated to the fight against diabetes. I urge the millions of 
Americans living with this disease and all citizens to lead healthy 
lives and to motivate others to do the same. By working together to 
prevent this disease, we can improve the quality of life for more 
Americans.
    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 2005 as National 
Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the risk 
factors and symptoms associated with diabetes and to observe this month 
with appropriate programs and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:58 a.m., November 3, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 4.