National Consumer Protection Week, 2004

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Part II

The President

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Proclamation 7755--National Consumer Protection Week, 2004

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7755 of February 2, 2004

National Consumer Protection Week, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, America's consumers conduct millions of
financial transactions. During National Consumer
Protection Week, we recognize those who help to
safeguard our citizens from consumer fraud, and we
encourage all Americans to be informed consumers. This
year's theme, ``Financial Literacy: Earning a Lifetime
of Dividends,'' highlights the importance of financial
education to consumer protection.

The Federal Government provides many educational
resources and programs to help protect Americans
against fraud by giving them information about their
options in the marketplace. The Federal Trade
Commission and more than 100 other Federal agencies
have collaborated on a website, www.consumer.gov, which
provides helpful information ranging from how credit
ratings work to how to buy a new car. The Department of
the Treasury has also established an Office of
Financial Education to oversee inter agency efforts to
coordinate and expand financial education initiatives.

In addition, my Administration is working to expand
financial literacy for potential homeowners. We have
doubled the funds for housing and financial counseling
services, including those run by faith-based and
community groups, and we are distributing millions of
dollars in grants to national, State, and local
organizations that promote home buyer education and
counseling. The Department of Housing and Urban
Development is also collaborating with the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation to expand the ``Money
Smart'' financial education program in public housing.
Education about the home-buying process not only
protects our citizens from consumer fraud, but also
empowers them to achieve their dreams.

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 February 1 through February
7, 2004, as National Consumer Protection Week. I call
upon government officials, industry leaders, and
consumer advocates to provide consumers with
information about the lifetime benefits of financial
literacy, and I encourage all citizens to take
advantage of the resources that can help them become
responsible consumers, savers, and investors.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B