[Federal Register: July 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 146)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 44847-44850]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jy03-123]                         


[[Page 44847]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7693--Parents' Day, 2003



Executive Order 13309--Amendments to Executive Order 12994, and 
Renaming the President's Committee on Mental Retardation as the 
President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities



Executive Order 13310--Blocking Property of the Government of Burma and 
Prohibiting Certain Transactions


                        Presidential Documents 




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Title 3--
The President

[[Page 44849]]

                Proclamation 7693 of July 25, 2003

 
                Parents' Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Children are a daily reminder of the blessings and 
                responsibilities of life and a source of joy, pride, 
                and fulfillment. Parents, stepparents, adoptive 
                parents, and foster parents have the important 
                responsibility of providing for, protecting, nurturing, 
                teaching, and loving their children. On Parents' Day, 
                we honor America's mothers and fathers and celebrate 
                the values that bind families from one generation to 
                the next and help define us as a Nation.

                As a child's first teachers, parents are the most 
                influential and effective instructors in a child's 
                life. Through their words, actions, and sacrifices, 
                parents are living examples for children. Young boys 
                and girls watch their parents closely and imitate their 
                behavior. Parents play a critical role in instilling 
                responsibility, integrity, and other life lessons that 
                shape the lives of America's future leaders.

                My Administration is committed to supporting our 
                Nation's families. We are working with faith-based and 
                community organizations to promote healthy marriages, 
                responsible parenting, and education. And we are 
                committed to fully funding and supporting the Promoting 
                Safe and Stable Families Program, which helps 
                strengthen family bonds, promote adoption, and provide 
                help for vulnerable children across our country.

                Volunteer service is one way parents can spend time 
                with their children while encouraging them to learn the 
                value of helping others. The USA Freedom Corps' ``How I 
                Spent My Summer'' initiative includes volunteer 
                opportunities where parents and children can work 
                together to meet the needs of their communities. This 
                initiative offers ideas such as collecting food for 
                local food banks or school supplies for children in 
                need. In addition, families can volunteer at one of our 
                Nation's parks or recreation areas creating trails, 
                assisting with archeological digs, or building and 
                restoring houses. Teaching by example, parents can help 
                their children become responsible citizens.

                Parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging 
                endeavors in life. On this special day, we recognize 
                the hard work and compassion of America's parents and 
                celebrate the mothers and fathers who are positive role 
                models for their children. I encourage parents to spend 
                more time reading, talking, and volunteering with their 
                children. I also urge parents to share the joys and 
                wisdom of parenthood with new families in their 
                communities and those planning families for the 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 27, 2003, as 
                Parents' Day. I encourage all Americans to express 
                their respect and appreciation to parents everywhere 
                for their contributions to their children, families, 
                communities, and our Nation. I also call upon citizens 
                to observe this day with appropriate programs, 
                ceremonies, and activities.

[[Page 44850]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fifth day of July, 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

[FR Doc. 03-19571
Filed 7-29-03; 8:57 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P