Parents' Day, 2004

Proclamation 7803 of July 23, 2004

Parents' Day, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Parents are a source of hope, help, stability, and love
for their children. Parents also teach children
important values like courage, compassion, self-
reliance, reverence, integrity, and respect for others.
As we celebrate Parents' Day, we recognize the
important contributions of America's parents and renew
our commitment to standing with our families to help
them raise healthy, responsible children.

Parenthood is a privilege and a great joy that comes
with great responsibility. Mothers and fathers play the
vital roles of provider, nurturer, disciplinarian,
counselor, advocate, educator, and motivator. They
offer unconditional love and help their children to
realize their dreams. As parents work to send the right
messages to our young people, they shape the character
and future of our Nation.

To help strengthen American families and encourage
parents' active involvement in the lives of their
children, my Administration is committed to promoting
healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood. We are
providing information to parents on early childhood
education and development and supporting community-
based parenting education programs. We are also
providing parents with more options in educating their
children and more opportunities to adopt young boys and
girls in need.

On Parents' Day, we honor America's mothers and fathers
for their guidance, support, and unconditional love for
their children. The tireless efforts of parents,
stepparents, adoptive parents, and foster parents make
our Nation stronger and help build a better future for
all our citizens.

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 and consistent with Public Law 103-362, as
amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 25, 2004, as
Parents' Day. I encourage all Americans to express
their love, respect, and appreciation to parents across
our Nation. I also call upon citizens to observe this
day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord two
thousand four, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B