National Character Counts Week, 2002

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Part VII

The President

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Proclamation 7612--National Character Counts Week, 2002

Proclamation 7613--National Forest Products Week, 2002

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7612 of October 18, 2002

National Character Counts Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

President Theodore Roosevelt once said that,
``Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in
the life of an individual and of nations alike.''
During National Character Counts Week, Americans
reaffirm our dedication to promoting good character and
upholding the timeless virtues that make our Nation
strong.

Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would
survive and flourish if our Nation was committed to
good character and an unyielding dedication to liberty
and justice for all. Throughout our history, our most
honorable heroes practiced the values of hard work and
honesty, commitment to excellence and courage, and
self-discipline and perseverance. Today, as we work to
preserve peace and freedom throughout the world, we are
guided by a national character that respects human
dignity and values every life.

The future success of our Nation depends on our
children's ability to understand the difference between
right and wrong and to have the strength of character
to make the right choices. To help them reach their
full potential and live with integrity and pride, we
must teach our children to be kind, responsible,
honest, and self-disciplined. These important values
are first learned in the family, but all of our
citizens have an obligation to support parents in the
character education of our children.

Our schools play a crucial role in teaching the skills,
knowledge, and moral values that will help our children
succeed. As Martin Luther King, Jr., stated, ``. . .
intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus
character--that is the goal of true education.'' By
guiding children to understand universal values such as
respect, tolerance, compassion, and commitment to
family and community, our schools are working to
achieve this goal.

My Administration is committed to promoting character
by encouraging public service and civic awareness. The
USA Freedom Corps is helping citizens discover
volunteer opportunities in their communities and
spreading the message that everyone can do something to
care for their neighbors in need. This past June, we
convened the White House Conference on Character and
Community, which showcased programs from around the
country that are proving that sound values can be
effectively taught.

By affirming the importance of good character in our
society and encouraging all people to lead lives of
virtuous purpose, we can prepare our Nation, and
especially our Nation's children, for the challenges
and opportunities that lie ahead. Strengthening our
national character will help secure greater
opportunity, prosperity, and hope 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 October 20 through October
26, 2002, as National Character Counts Week. I call
upon all public officials, educators, librarians, and
all the people of the United States to observe this
week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of October, 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