Presidential Documents

32891

Federal Register

Vol. 66, No. 118

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7451 of June 15, 2001

Father’s Day, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans celebrate Father’s Day as a unique time to reflect on the importance of fathers and to honor their vital role in the lives of children. For

those who have been blessed with our own families, this day also provides

an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to being the best possible fathers

for our children.

Father’s Day was originally the idea of Sonora Dodd, who wanted to honor

her father, Civil War veteran Henry Jackson Smart. As Sonora’s sole surviving

parent following the death of her mother, Mr. Smart made great sacrifices

for his daughter and raised her with courage, selflessness, and abiding

love. To enable all Americans to participate in paying special tribute to

their fathers, President Calvin Coolidge first recognized Father’s Day in

1924.

During childhood, boys and girls look to their fathers for a sense of security,

warmth, attention, patience, and understanding. As young people mature,

their fathers contribute to their spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and

social well-being. In reaching adulthood, men and women alike are enriched

immeasurably by the wisdom of their fathers as they pursue careers, start

families, and take active roles in the community.

For boys and girls raised without a father in the home, the challenges

can be great. Seventy-five percent of American children raised in a oneparent household will experience poverty before they turn 11 years old,

compared to only 20 percent of children in families with two parents.

Children in homes where the father is absent are more likely to be suspended

from school or to drop out, be treated for an emotional or behavioral problem,

become suicidal as adolescents, or become victims of child abuse or neglect.

As a society, we must support fathers in fulfilling their responsibilities

to their families, which may include not only biological or adopted children,

but also stepchildren or foster children. Fathers must be prepared to nurture

and care for their sons and daughters, and to do so in the context of

a strong and committed marriage. To promote responsible fatherhood, my

Administration has proposed providing financial support to community and

faith-based organizations that help fathers and to programs that strengthen

marriage and promote successful parenting. We also propose funding to

support the expansion of ongoing State and local fatherhood initiatives

and helping community groups that try to provide young men with role

models.

Our society must strive to produce a generation of men who are ready

to become the best possible fathers. Let us set a good example for America’s

sons by valuing the responsibility and importance of fatherhood. Let us

also honor and be thankful for the caring, decent, and hardworking fathers

who make such a tremendous difference in the lives of their children and

families.

32892 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2001 / Presidential Documents

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 (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 17, 2001, as Father’s

Day. I encourage all Americans to express love and respect for their fathers,

as well as appreciation for the vital contributions of fathers to families

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 fifteenth day

of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence

of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

Billing code 3195

Filed 6

[FR Doc. 01

–18–01; 8:45 am]

–15571

–01–P

W