beginning October 18, 2002, as the Year of Clean Water in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. I call upon all Americans to observe this year with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to join in setting good examples of environmental stewardship in our daily lives. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of October, 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 7612 of October 18, 2002 National Character Counts Week, 2002 By the President of the United States of America President Theodore Roosevelt once said that, "Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike." During National Character Counts Week, Americans reaffirm our dedication to promoting good character and upholding the timeless virtues that make our Nation strong. Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would survive and flourish if our Nation was committed to good character and an unyielding dedication to liberty and justice for all. Throughout our history, our most honorable heroes practiced the values of hard work and honesty, commitment to excellence and courage, and self-discipline and perseverance. Today, as we work to preserve peace and freedom throughout the world, we are guided by a national character that respects human dignity and values every life. The future success of our Nation depends on our children's ability to understand the difference between right and wrong and to have the strength of character to make the right choices. To help them reach their full potential and live with integrity and pride, we must teach our children to be kind, responsible, honest, and self-disciplined. These important values are first learned in the family, but all of our citizens have an obligation to support parents in the character education of our children. Our schools play a crucial role in teaching the skills, knowledge, and moral values that will help our children succeed. As Martin Luther King, Jr., stated, ". . . intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education." By guiding children to understand universal values such as respect, tolerance, compassion, and commitment to family and community, our schools are working to achieve this goal. My Administration is committed to promoting character by encouraging public service and civic awareness. The USA Freedom Corps is helping citizens discover volunteer opportunities in their communities and spreading the message that everyone can do something to care for their neighbors in need. This past June, we convened the White House Conference on Character and Community, which showcased programs from around the country that are proving that sound values can be effectively taught. By affirming the importance of good character in our society and encouraging all people to lead lives of virtuous purpose, we can prepare our Nation, and especially our Nation's children, for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Strengthening our national character will help secure greater opportunity, prosperity, and hope for all. 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 October 20 through October 26, 2002, as National Character Counts Week. I call upon all public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of October, 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 7613 of October 18, 2002 National Forest Products Week, 2002 By the President of the United States of America America's forests are one of our greatest natural resources. They offer majestic beauty and fabulous recreational opportunities for all Americans to enjoy. They also are an important source of materials that help our Nation's economy to grow and flourish. By observing National Forest Products Week, we recognize the countless ways in which forests enrich our lives, and we renew our commitment to preserving these natural assets for future generations. Forests strengthen our economy by supplying us with renewable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly resources that are the source of good jobs and valuable products. The wood we get from forests is a prime construction and manufacturing product that is used to build our homes and many other essential structures. Wood is also recyclable, biodegradable, and serves as a raw material for many items we use and enjoy every day, including paper, tissue, furniture, packaging materials, musical instruments, and postage stamps. The use of wood for biomass energy generation derived from thinning projects conserves fossil fuels and strengthens rural economies. In addition, our Nation's forests protect watersheds, preserve water quality, help keep our air clean, and provide habitat for our wildlife. To protect these vital natural resources, we must take affirmative steps towards managing our forests better, and we must work together to safeguard the health of our forests. My Administration has developed the Healthy Forests Initiative, which seeks to restore the health of our woodlands and prevent forest fires through a combination of thinning overgrowth and restoring fire-damaged areas. For the safety of our citizens, the good of our forests, and the prosperity of our economy, we must make forest health a national priority. Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring our Nation's well-being, the Congress, by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday in October of each year as "National Forest Products Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 20 through October 26, 2002, as National Forest Products Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of October, 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 7614 of October 23, 2002 United Nations Day, 2002 By the President of the United States of America The United Nations was founded 57 years ago to improve our global community by strengthening the ties among member nations through improved communication, expanded understanding, and enhanced security. On United Nations Day, America joins the world in commemorating the founding of this important international organization and recognizing the profound impact it has had on our world and the role that it continues to play. Since October 24, 1945, the United Nations Organization has grown to include 191 member states. Through its relief agencies, the U.N. aids and protects millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. For example, in 2001, the United Nations World Food Program provided aid to 77 million people in 82 countries and helped to avert a severe famine that threatened Afghanistan. The U.N. also seeks to improve living conditions around the globe by immunizing children, providing safe drinking water, and fighting disease. The United States remains committed to helping the U.N. to advance human rights, healthcare, security, and education throughout the world; and we will continue to meet these and other commitments as we rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Our country continues to work with the U.N. in supplying aid for nations and peoples in need or distress, and in providing medical care and other essentials through U.N. agencies such as UNICEF. As our world faces new challenges and opportunities, the efforts of the United Nations take on a renewed significance. The United States rec ognizes the U.N. for its efforts to support and strengthen the international coalition against global terror. And we hope the United Nations will fulfill its role in addressing the threats posed to the civilized world, particularly the threat now posed by Iraq. As a founding member of the U.N., the United States reaffirms our dedication to this vital organization and our hope that it will continue to fulfill the vision of its founders. 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 October 24, 2002, as United Nations Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentythird day of October, 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 7615 of October 29, 2002 National Family Caregivers Month, 2002 By the President of the United States of America One of our most important responsibilities as citizens is to give back to our communities. Individuals who care for loved ones in their homes demonstrate the compassionate spirit of America. During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor these individuals who bring hope and comfort to their fellow citizens in need. America's family caregivers are vital to the strength of our communities. Through specialized care for family members with disabilities or those who are aging or chronically ill, millions of caregivers help their loved ones live in a comforting environment. As the size of our elderly population continues to grow, home care increasingly represents an important, dignified, and compassionate alternative for countless individuals. To support and train families at all stages of caregiving, the Administration on Aging provides community-based assistance through the "National Family Caregiver Support Program." This network of community service providers, faith-based organizations, tribal organizations, State and local agencies on aging, and hundreds of thousands of volunteers informs caregivers that they are not alone, and that help is always available through counseling, support groups, training, respite care, and supplemental services. As we work to build a culture of service, responsibility, and compassion, caregivers continue to bring our families and communities together. Through their efforts to assist loved ones in need, family caregivers demonstrate the true spirit of our Nation. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2002 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to pause to honor the family members, friends, and neighbors who shoulder caregiving responsibilities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentyninth day of October, 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 7616 of October 31, 2002 To Implement the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation 1. Section 3103 of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (title XXXI of the Trade Act of 2002, Public Law 107-210) (ATPDEA) amended section 204(b) of the Andean Trade Preference Act (19 U.S.C. 3203(b)) (ATPA) to provide that certain preferential tariff treatment may be provided to eligible articles that are the product of any country that the President designates as an "ATPDEA beneficiary country" pursuant to section 204(b)(6)(B) of the ATPA, as amended, provided that the President determines that the country has satisfied the requirements of section 204(b)(5)(A)(ii)(I) of the ATPA, as amended, relating to the implementation of procedures and requirements similar to those in chapter 5 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 2. Section 3103(a)(2) of the ATPDEA amended section 204(b) of the ATPA to authorize the President to proclaim duty-free treatment for any article described in section 204(b)(1)(A) through (D) of the ATPA, as amended, that is the growth, product, or manufacture of an ATPDEA beneficiary country, that is imported directly into the customs territory of the United States from an ATPDEA beneficiary country, and that meets the requirements of section 204 of the ATPA, as amended, if the President determines that such article is not import-sensitive in the context of imports from ATPDEA beneficiary countries, provided that the President determines that the country has satisfied the requirements of section 204(b)(5)(A)(ii)(I) of the ATPA, as amended, relating to the implementation of procedures and requirements similar to those in chapter 5 of the NAFTA. 3. Section 3103(a)(2) of the ATPDEA amended section 204(b) of the ATPA to provide that eligible textile and apparel articles of a designated ATPDEA beneficiary country shall enter the United States free of duty and free of quantitative limitations, provided that the President determines that the country has satisfied the requirements of section 204(b)(5)(A)(ii)(I) of the ATPA, as amended, relating to the implementation of procedures and requirements similar to those in chapter 5 of the NAFTA. |