[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 13 (Monday, April 7, 2008)]
[Page 460]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8230--National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2008

 April 1, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Children are the hope and promise of our Nation, and our society has 
a special duty to ensure young Americans get the care and attention they 
need to succeed in life. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 
we underscore our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect so 
that all children can live in safety and security.
    Parents have a responsibility to safeguard their children from 
danger and to provide the love, protection, and guidance youngsters need 
to grow into confident and caring adults. In every community across the 
Nation, good and courageous citizens are improving the lives of our most 
vulnerable children with acts of compassion. The strength of America 
lies in the ability of our citizens to make a positive difference in the 
lives of our young people.
    My Administration is committed to the safety of our Nation's youth. 
In 2006, I signed into law the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety 
Act, which was designed to protect children from sexual and other 
violent crimes, help prevent child pornography, and make the Internet 
safer for our children. This law expands sex offender registration and 
notification on a nationwide basis, provides a statutory basis for the 
Project Safe Childhood program, and gives communities and law 
enforcement the tools necessary to keep children out of harm's way. 
Additionally, with strengthened Federal penalties, we will ensure that 
those who prey on our children will be caught, prosecuted, and punished 
to the fullest extent of the law.
    As we observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we reaffirm our 
loving commitment to America's youth and our dedication to building a 
society in which all children can realize their full potential.
    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 April 2008 as National 
Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens to help protect 
our children from abuse and neglect and to take an active role in 
creating safe communities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of 
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:03 a.m., April 2, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
3.