Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7662 of April 10, 2003

Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As a Nation, we must work to ensure that all our
children have the opportunity to reach their full
potential and achieve their dreams. On Education and
Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2003, we renew our commitment to
providing quality education and to teaching our
children the values that prepare them for lives as good
neighbors and citizens.

Education has always been one of our Nation's top
priorities. We place great reliance and confidence in
our public education system, recognizing that it is one
of the most important institutions of our free society.
By helping our young citizens learn and develop skills,
education has spurred our progress and prosperity,
driven our Nation's economy, and enriched our culture.

Over the last 2 years, my Administration has taken
significant action to transform public education in
America. In one of the most comprehensive reforms ever
passed, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
strengthened our school systems and affirmed our
fundamental belief in the promise of every child. By
raising expectations and insisting on results, we can
make a difference in the lives of all our children.

As part of our commitment to our children's future, we
must also teach young Americans to live lives of
integrity and purpose, and to realize the importance of
loving others and contributing to their communities.
These values are first learned within the family, but
all of our citizens, and especially our teachers, can
support parents in the character education of our
children. By guiding young people to understand
universal values such as tolerance, honesty, commitment
to family, service to others, and respect for the
dignity of every life, our schools and communities can
help our Nation fulfill its great potential.

For the past 19 years, on the anniversary of his birth,
we have recognized the contributions of the Rabbi
Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe who
was instrumental in establishing numerous educational,
social, and rehabilitative institutions. The Rebbe
believed that education is critical in cultivating the
moral character of students. He lived what he said: ``A
single good deed on your part could transform the
world.''

Today in the United States, there is a growing momentum
of acts of kindness. Across our country, millions of
Americans are helping to reinforce a culture of
service, citizenship, and responsibility, and are
applying the compassion of America to our biggest
problems and deepest wounds. To build on these
successes, we must instill these values in our next
generation of leaders. Amidst a world of challenges, we
can equip our children to carry our Nation into a
future of promise and possibility for all.

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 13, 2003, as Education
and Sharing Day, U.S.A. I call upon all Americans to
invest in our Nation's future by helping our children
understand the importance

of character and provide them the knowledge and values
necessary to succeed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

(Presidential Sig.)B