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Father's Day, 2003
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America
MND NEWSWIRE
Fatherhood is one of life's most challenging yet fulfilling endeavors.
On Father's Day, we honor America's fathers and express our appreciation
for all they do to help build a strong foundation for our children and
our Nation. We also reaffirm our commitment to supporting fathers and
encouraging responsible fatherhood in our society.
Fathers have indispensable roles to play in the lives of their children:
provider, protector, nurturer, teacher, and friend. Every caring father
unconditionally loves his sons and daughters and strives for the best
for his children in the future. In seeking to give their children the
opportunity to succeed, fathers offer needed strength, guidance, and discipline.
Fathers teach their children many basic things in life: how to read
a book, throw a ball, tie a necktie, ride a bike, or drive a car. More
importantly, they also help instill time-honored values in their children,
such as hard work, respect, honesty, and good citizenship. Through their
words, actions, and sacrifices, fathers play an important role in shaping
the characters of their sons and daughters.
The time and attention that a father gives to a child is irreplaceable
-- there is no substitute for the involvement and commitment of a responsible
father. Not only are fathers essential to the healthy development of children,
they also influence the strength of families and the stability of communities.
For this reason, our Government is working to help fathers succeed in
this challenging, but life-affirming, role. Over the last 2 years, my
Administration has taken important steps to promote responsible fatherhood
and encourage community-based initiatives that help them fulfill their
important roles. We are working to provide funds for healthy marriage
and parenting education and for community mentoring programs to help fathers
become more engaged and involved in their children's lives.
This Father's Day, we recognize the many fathers who are heroes and
role models for their children, and we encourage more men to fulfill this
responsibility by loving their sons and daughters with all their heart
and demonstrating this love daily. By working together to encourage America's
fathers, we can strengthen our society and help ensure the well-being
of all our children.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved
April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 15,
2003, as Father's Day. I encourage all Americans to express love, admiration,
and thanks to their fathers for their contributions to our lives and to
society. I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display
the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day.
I also call upon State and local governments and citizens to observe this
day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day
of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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