[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 40 (Monday, October 9, 2006)]
[Pages 1704-1705]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8058--National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2006

September 29, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Domestic violence has no place in our society, and we have a moral 
obligation to help prevent it. The terrible tragedies that result from 
it destroy lives and insult the dignity of women, men, and children. 
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to 
underscore our commitment to bringing an end to violence in the home.
    A home should be a place of stability, comfort, and love. Domestic 
violence shatters this important foundation. My Administration is 
strongly committed to addressing domestic violence and helping those who 
have been victimized. In January, I was proud to sign legislation 
reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Since I announced the 
Family Justice Center Initiative in 2003, we have opened 11 Family 
Justice Centers across the country. These centers offer services to 
victims and their families, including legal advice, counseling, and 
support. In addition, we are continuing to work with faith-based and 
community organizations to provide training, expertise, and funding to 
help deliver hope and healing to those who need it most.
    During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and throughout the 
year, we are grateful for the advocates, counselors, and others who 
provide care to those affected by these acts of cruelty and for the law 
enforcement personnel and others who work to bring offenders to justice. 
We extend our compassion to the victims of domestic violence and urge 
them to seek assistance through local Family Justice Centers, faith-
based and community organizations, and the National Domestic Violence 
Hotline at 
1-800-799-SAFE. By working together, we can build an America where every 
home honors the value and dignity of its loved ones.
    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 October 2006 as National 
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to reach out to 
victims and help end domestic violence.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 
day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 3, 
2006]

[[Page 1705]]

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