Proclamation 7631 of November 27, 2002 World AIDS Day, 2002 By the President of the United States of America The HIV/AIDS pandemic has taken the lives of more than 20 million people and is projected to take millions more. On World AIDS Day, countries around the world are united to support the individuals, families, and communities affected by this disease, and to renew our commitment to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, developing and delivering more effective treatments, and finding a cure. To support our struggle against HIV/AIDS, we must call upon the compassion, energy, and generosity of all people. Through their service and dedication, faith-based and volunteer organizations are providing local and global communities with strategies to confront the HIV/AIDS pandemic. By responding to the needs of their neighbors, these organizations and individual citizens offer invaluable support and hope to countless people. These organizations also help overcome dangerous barriers to HIV prevention, care, and treatment such as the stigma and discrimination that often attaches to those suffering from HIV/AIDS. By raising awareness and promoting acceptance of people living with HIV/ AIDS, we help improve the lives of millions of people around the world and demonstrate the compassion of our Nation. My Administration remains strongly committed to supporting research that treats those living with HIV/AIDS, prevents the spread of this disease, and that can develop a cure. For this coming year, my Administration has requested $2.9 billion for research on vaccines and treatments to combat the disease. This is a significant increase over prior year funding for these efforts, and expresses my Administration's commitment to helping find a cure. To help stop the global spread of AIDS we must prevent mothers from passing the HIV virus to their children. My Administration has committed $500 million to the new International Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative, which will focus on countries in Africa and the Caribbean where the problem is the most severe. This Initiative seeks to treat 1 million women annually and to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS by 40 percent within 5 years. It also increases the availability of preventative care and drug treatment therapy, and seeks to improve critical healthcare delivery systems. The International Mother and Child Prevention Initiative will save thousands of lives, and assist our vital effort to overcome the global devastation of HIV/ AIDS. The United States intends to provide more than $1.3 billion in 2003 to international efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, a 30 percent increase over the prior year's commitment. I was very pleased to help launch the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria together with U.N. Secretary-General Annan and Nigerian President Obasanjo. My Administration has since then pledged $500 million to the Global Fund, and we are committed to further support the Fund as it continues to demonstrate its success. On World AIDS Day, I urge world leaders and citizens to join the efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. By working together, we can provide hope and comfort to all those affected by this devastating disease. 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 December 1, 2002, as World AIDS Day. I invite the Governors of the States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join me in reaffirming our commitment to combating HIV/AIDS. I encourage all Americans to participate in appropriate commemorative programs and ceremonies in houses of worship, workplaces, and other community centers to remember those who have lost their lives to this deadly disease and to comfort and support those living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7632 of December 3, 2002 National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, 2002 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Drunk and drugged driving threatens the safety of millions of Americans. Reducing the incidence of impaired driving remains one of our Nation's greatest challenges. As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this holiday season, I urge all Americans to observe National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month by making responsible choices that will help keep our roads safer for all. Drunk driving accidents take a life every 30 minutes and injure someone every 2 minutes. In the last 24 months, 41 percent of those killed in traffic accidents, which is almost 35,000 Americans, have been killed in alcohol-related crashes. To better protect our citizens and decrease the number of drunk and drugged driving traffic accidents, we must work together to educate our communities about the seriousness of this offense and we must raise awareness of its devastating consequences. My Administration supports efforts to save lives and prevent injuries resulting from impaired driving. The Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) works with local law enforcement agencies that conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols; and it also supports State efforts to pass legislation that increases 'punishment for those who drink and drive. The NHTSA and its State and local partners are dedicated to eliminating impaired driving and stopping the associated injuries and fatali ties. The NHTSA's national safety campaign-You Drink & Drive. You Lose.-aims to lower America's impaired driving fatality rate to less than 11,000 people per year by the year 2005. By providing its partner organizations with guidance on overcoming this national challenge, this important campaign is assisting local law enforcement agencies, community groups and organizations, public health professionals, and businesses to coordinate and address this vital issue. As part of the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign, law enforcement agencies across the Nation will be out in full force from December 20, 2002, to January 5, 2003, to stop drunk and drugged driving. During the holiday season, organizations and citizens throughout the country also will be working to prevent this deadly activity by encouraging citizens to choose sober, designated drivers, keep impaired family members and friends off our roads, report drivers who are under the influence, and educate young people about safe, alcohol- and drugfree driving behavior. Through cooperation and determination, every American can do something to make a difference and help stop impaired drivers before they harm others. 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 December 2002 as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I call upon State and community leaders to join the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. national mobilization between December 20, 2002, and January 5, 2003. I also urge all Americans to work to enhance the safety of our Nation's roadways and protect the well-being of our drivers, passengers, and pedestrians during this holiday season and every day of the year. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7633 of December 6, 2002 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2002 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Early on a quiet Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, aircraft of the Empire of Japan, without provocation or warning, attacked the United States forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. More than 2,400 Americans died that day and another 1,100 were wounded, in what was the start of a long and terrible war against the forces of fascism, tyranny, and imperialism. Out of that surprise attack grew a steadfast resolve to defend the freedoms on which our Nation was founded. From the ruins of Pearl Harbor, America built the strongest Navy in the world and emerged as a superpower to lead a coalition of allies to victory over evil in World War II. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines fought and won many crucial battles, defeating history's most powerful tyranny. Our Nation must always remember the heroism, dedication, and sacrifice of those who served. Their courage in battle continues to inspire us today as our Armed Forces fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and around the world. The men and women who fought for America at Pearl Harbor not only protected our Nation, but also helped to shape its character. Nine Americans who fell had Navy ships named after them, and 15 men earned the Medal of Honor for bravery, with 10 of them awarded the Medal posthumously. As we remember the lost on what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called "a date which will live in infamy," I encourage our veterans to share their experiences with our youth so that new generations can learn about this important moment in our history. Today, we salute our veterans of Pearl Harbor and World War II, whose sacrifices saved democracy during a dark hour. In their memory, a new generation of our Armed Forces goes forward against new enemies in a new era. Once again, we pledge to defend freedom, secure our homeland, and advance peace around the world. Americans have been tested before, and our Nation will triumph again. The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7, 2002, as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day." NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2002, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this and every December 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7634 of December 9, 2002 Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, 2002 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America's commitment to individual freedom and democracy provides the foundation for our society. As a Nation, we cherish the values of free speech, equal justice, and religious tolerance, and we steadfastly oppose the forces of cruelty, injustice, and tyranny. Since the founding of our country, the Bill of Rights has served to guide our people and our Government to ensure basic human rights and liberties. The United |