National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2001

Proclamation 7419 of March 28, 2001

National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every child deserves to live in a safe, permanent, and
caring family. Regrettably, abuse and neglect continue
to threaten the well-being of many young Americans.
Each year, more than 800,000 confirmed incidents of
maltreatment of children and more than 1,000 abuse-
related child fatalities plague our country. We can,
and must, do more to fight these tragedies and to
protect our children from harm.

Prevention remains the best defense for our children.
State Community-Based Family Resource and Support
programs sponsor activities promoting public awareness
about child abuse and information on how to stop it.
Additional initiatives offer education and training to
mothers, fathers, and other caretakers. Collaboration
among schools, government agencies, faith-based
organizations, businesses, community groups, and law
enforcement play an important role in helping such
efforts to succeed.

During the month of April, let our Nation and her
people reaffirm the commitment to making a positive
difference in ending child abuse and neglect. Each
individual needs to help. Organize or join a community
group that offers information or assistance to parents
and families. Be vigilant for signs of abuse exhibited
by young people in your community. Encourage trust in
and support for law enforcement agencies. By speaking
out against child abuse and neglect and cultivating an
environment that nurtures and strengthens families, we
can give boys and girls the safe, stable, and loving
homes they need. They will be able to enter the
classroom each day ready to learn, with improved self-
esteem. They will be encouraged to reach their full
potential as individuals and as members of our society.

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 2001, as National
Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all Americans
to join in the vital task of protecting young people
from harm, and I commend the many dedicated parents,
educators, social workers, and other concerned citizens
who lead by example in doing right by our children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

(Presidential Sig.)B