National Character Counts Week, 2001

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Part V

The President

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Proclamation 7488--National Character Counts Week, 2001

Proclamation 7489--National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug-Free America,
2001

Proclamation 7490--United Nations Day, 2001

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7488 of October 22, 2001

National Character Counts Week, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our Nation was built on a foundation of sound moral
principles. The heroes of American history responded to
threats to their freedom by choosing to fight for these
timeless principles, assuming duties that superseded
their self-interest. The character of America's
founders was exemplified in their willingness to risk
death in resisting tyranny and securing liberty and
independence. From the frozen soil of Valley Forge to
the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of the Persian
Gulf region, American soldiers have answered the call
of patriotic duty at great personal cost.

Our Nation's character continues to define how we
respond to those who threaten America's core principles
of liberty, justice, and equality. We saw that
character when, in the face of the terrible terrorist
attacks of September 11, American firefighters, police
officers, and airline passengers sacrificed their lives
to save others. We saw it when people across our land
donated blood for the victims. And we see it as the
children of America donate dollars to help suffering
Afghan children. These acts reveal that enduring
patriotism and faith are part of the fabric of America.

How our military is responding to these despicable
attacks is also indicative of our national character.
We are waging a war against terrorists who have
hijacked their own peaceful religion in an attempt to
justify their evil deeds. As we strike military
targets, however, we also are dropping food, medicine,
and supplies to relieve the suffering among the victims
of the Taliban regime.

The manner in which we face these and other challenges
in this war will continue to influence our country for
generations to come. In fulfilling our mission with
both compassion and courage, we show our children what
putting American values into action means. Similarly,
parents should teach their children by word and deed to
understand and live out the moral values that we hold,
such as honesty, accepting responsibility for our
actions, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Places of worship, faith-based organizations, and other
community groups also play an important role in helping
to shape young hearts and minds. Government should
cultivate a climate that supports families and
organizations that seek to instill sound moral
principles in their children. My Administration's
Faith-Based and Community Initiative proposes a program
that will ensure that faith-based and community
caregivers are welcomed as partners in these efforts.
In addition, my budget triples the funds available for
character education in public schools. I have also
proposed to extend Federal after-school funding to
programs run by faith-based and community-based
organizations.

During this week, we should reflect on the national
character we inherited from our forefathers and on the
obligation we now have to stand for morality and virtue
in the face of evil and terror. Since September 11, our
Nation has shown that we are prepared to respond to the
evildoers who have attacked the principles for which we
stand. Our national character

shall guide us as we wage this war, and in that we know
that evil will not triumph.

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 October 21 through October
27, 2001, as National Character Counts Week. I call
upon the people of the United States to commemorate
this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B