Parents' Day, 2002

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7580 of July 26, 2002

Parents' Day, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Parenthood is a profound blessing, bringing with it
responsibilities that are both challenging and
rewarding. The care, dedication, and attention of
parents are critical to their children's success. As
they teach, guide, and nurture, parents help their
children to realize their potential and achieve their
dreams. Parents also play a critical role in shaping
their children's character by sharing important life-
lessons and values and showing them how to love and
care for others.

As we face the challenges of a new era, families remain
the foundation of our civil society; and parents are
the corner stone of strong families. This important
responsibility often presents difficult problems and
trying circumstances as parents balance competing
demands such as making a living, raising their
children, and participating in their communities.

Our Nation has made great progress in recognizing the
importance of effective parenting, but there is still
much to do. My Administration is committed to promoting
a healthier society by helping parents build stronger
families. Many studies have shown that children do
better in two-parent households where the parents are
married; and as part of our plan to promote the well-
being of children, I have committed significant
resources to programs that encourage healthy and stable
marriages. While no law can ensure that people love one
another, we can support initiatives that help couples
learn how to build successful marriages and be good
parents.

My Administration supports community-based efforts that
help delinquent fathers improve their lives so they can
become effective parents. With job training,
employment, counseling, and career advancement
education, we hope to make it easier for more fathers
to have positive relationships with their sons and
daughters. We have also taken important steps to
empower and inform parents through the No Child Left
Behind Act, ensuring that they will be vital partners
in their children's education. Further, every child in
America deserves to live in a safe, stable, and loving
family; my Administration is committed to increasing
public awareness about the importance of adoption and
to encouraging Americans to consider adopting children.
By pursuing these significant measures, we increase
compassion in our society, and we make America a better
place for all.

The nurturing and development of children require
widespread investment, focus, and commitment. While
Government plays an important role in this process,
citizens, schools, and civic institutions must also
assist parents by reaching out to help meet the needs
of young people in their communities. By working
together to provide for our children, we will show them
the way to a brighter future.

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 28, 2002, as
Parents' Day. I encourage all Americans to join me in
honoring the millions of mothers and fathers,
biological and adoptive, foster parents, and
stepparents, whose

selfless love and determined efforts influence lives
for the good of their children and our Nation. I also
urge all Americans to express their love, respect, and
appreciation to our parents, and I call upon all
citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B