Father's Day, 2001

Proclamation 7451 of June 15, 2001

Father's Day, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans celebrate Father's Day as a unique time to
reflect on the importance of fathers and to honor their
vital role in the lives of children. For those who have
been blessed with our own families, this day also
provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to
being the best possible fathers for our children.

Father's Day was originally the idea of Sonora Dodd,
who wanted to honor her father, Civil War veteran Henry
Jackson Smart. As Sonora's sole surviving parent
following the death of her mother, Mr. Smart made great
sacrifices for his daughter and raised her with
courage, selflessness, and abiding love. To enable all
Americans to participate in paying special tribute to
their fathers, President Calvin Coolidge first
recognized Father's Day in 1924.

During childhood, boys and girls look to their fathers
for a sense of security, warmth, attention, patience,
and understanding. As young people mature, their
fathers contribute to their spiritual, emotional,
physical, financial, and social well-being. In reaching
adulthood, men and women alike are enriched
immeasurably by the wisdom of their fathers as they
pursue careers, start families, and take active roles
in the community.

For boys and girls raised without a father in the home,
the challenges can be great. Seventy-five percent of
American children raised in a one-parent household will
experience poverty before they turn 11 years old,
compared to only 20 percent of children in families
with two parents. Children in homes where the father is
absent are more likely to be suspended from school or
to drop out, be treated for an emotional or behavioral
problem, become suicidal as adolescents, or become
victims of child abuse or neglect.

As a society, we must support fathers in fulfilling
their responsibilities to their families, which may
include not only biological or adopted children, but
also stepchildren or foster children. Fathers must be
prepared to nurture and care for their sons and
daughters, and to do so in the context of a strong and
committed marriage. To promote responsible fatherhood,
my Administration has proposed providing financial
support to community and faith-based organizations that
help fathers and to programs that strengthen marriage
and promote successful parenting. We also propose
funding to support the expansion of ongoing State and
local fatherhood initiatives and helping community
groups that try to provide young men with role models.

Our society must strive to produce a generation of men
who are ready to become the best possible fathers. Let
us set a good example for America's sons by valuing the
responsibility and importance of fatherhood. Let us
also honor and be thankful for the caring, decent, and
hardworking fathers who make such a tremendous
difference in the lives of their children and families.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, in accordance with a joint
resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972 (36
U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 17, 2001, as
Father's Day. I encourage all Americans to express love
and respect for their fathers, as well as appreciation
for the vital contributions of fathers to families and
to society. I direct the appropriate officials of the
Government to display the flag of the United States on
all Government buildings on this day. I also call upon
State and local governments and citizens to observe
this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of June, 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