National D.A.R.E. Day, 2005

Proclamation 7883 of April 5, 2005

National D.A.R.E. Day, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Across America, law enforcement officers, volunteers,
parents, and teachers are helping to send the right
message to our Nation's youth about illegal drugs and
violence through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(D.A.R.E.) Program. On National D.A.R.E. Day, we
express our gratitude for the important work of these
individuals and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring
that every child has an opportunity for a bright and
hopeful future.

For over two decades, D.A.R.E. programs have taught our
Nation's young people about the dangers of drug use and
encouraged them to lead productive, drug-free, and
violence-free lives. Police officers and all those
involved in D.A.R.E. help save lives by opening the
lines of communication between law enforcement and our
young people to better enable them to make the right
choices. In a culture in which bad influences and
temptations are all too present, these soldiers in the
armies of compassion are fostering a culture of
responsibility among young people.

My Administration will continue to stand with families
and communities to combat the dangers of drugs and
violence. In my State of the Union Address, I announced
a new initiative called Helping America's Youth to help
ensure a successful future for young Americans. Led by
First Lady Laura Bush, this initiative is educating
parents and communities on the importance of positive
youth development and is supporting organizations,
including faith-based and community groups, who are
helping young people to overcome the risks they face.
We also support random student drug testing as a
prevention tool, and we are helping educate young
people about the dangers of illicit drug use through
the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and Drug-
Free Communities Program.

The decisions our children make today will affect their
health and character for the rest of their lives. By
giving them the tools they need to make the right
choices, D.A.R.E. programs help prepare our Nation's
young people for the promising future our Nation holds
for each of them.

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 April 14, 2005, as National
D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon Americans, particularly our
youth, to help fight drug use in our communities, and I
urge our citizens to show their appreciation for the
law enforcement officials, volunteers, teachers, health
care professionals, and all those who dedicate
themselves to helping our children avoid drugs and
violence.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B