National Hospice Month, 2003

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7727 of October 30, 2003

National Hospice Month, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Hospice care plays an important role in American
medicine by easing a patient's suffering while
reaffirming individual dignity in a familiar,
comfortable environment. Across our Nation, hospice
care providers are assisting in hospitals, nursing
homes, and private residences, offering physical,
emotional, and spiritual support to patients who often
have a short life expectancy.

Hospice teams consist of physicians, nurses, social
workers, counselors, and volunteers who are experts in
end-of-life issues. They offer pain management,
therapy, nutrition, and other supportive care in the
home or other comfortable surroundings, making it
easier for patients, family members, and friends to
spend time together in their loved one's final days.
Hospice experts also offer grief counseling to friends
and family members after their loss.

Every stage of human life deserves to be treated with
respect and care. I commend all those who work and
volunteer as hospice care providers. Their
contributions make our Nation a better place.

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 2 proclaim November 2003 as National
Hospice Month. I encourage Americans to increase their
awareness of hospice service and to observe this month
with appropriate activities and programs.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B