Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 194 / Thursday, October 7, 2004 / Presidential Documents 60277

Proclamation 7825 of October 4, 2004

Child Health Day, 2004

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation

Parents play a vital role in keeping their children healthy, and when it 

comes to helping children make right choices, there is work for all Americans 

to do. Parents, teachers, faith-based and community groups, and government 

leaders are working together to counter the negative influences in today’s 

culture, highlight the benefits of healthy lifestyles, and educate children 

about the consequences of their actions. 

By promoting good nutrition and regular physical activity, parents help 

their children perform better in the classroom and live healthy lives. To 

encourage healthy families, my Administration is helping young people 

learn the simple steps to live better through the HealthierUS Initiative and 

the President’s Challenge awards program. These programs encourage young 

people to eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables and to set 

aside time every day for physical activity, such as playing sports, biking, 

or even helping with yard work at home. Encouraging healthy habits early 

in life helps give children a head start and gives them the best chance 

of reaching their potential. 

Our youth are challenged with tough choices. We must continue to promote 

responsibility among our Nation’s young people by providing them with 

the knowledge they need to make the right decisions concerning drug and 

alcohol use. My Administration supports education programs that address 

these issues. Through the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and 

Drug-Free Communities Program, we are working to ensure that young people 

understand the serious risks and consequences of substance abuse. And 

in order to help kids who need help, my Administration supports random 

drug testing as a prevention tool. We have also increased support for abstinence-only education programs, including grants for community and faithbased organizations, because abstinence is the only sure way to prevent 

teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. 

We all have an important role in giving America’s children a healthy start 

in life by teaching them that the decisions they make today will affect 

them for the rest of their lives. By helping them make the right choices, 

we better prepare them for a hopeful future. 

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18, 1928, as amended 

(36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the designation of the first Monday in October 

as ‘‘Child Health Day’’ and has requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 4, 2004, as Child Health 

Day. I call upon families, schools, child health professionals, faith-based 

and community organizations, and governments to help all our children 

discover the rewards of good health and wellness. 

60278 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 194 / Thursday, October 7, 2004 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the IndependBilling code 3195

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ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

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