Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2005 / Presidential Documents 67333 

Proclamation 7953 of November 2, 2005 

National Diabetes Month, 2005 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Americans of all ages and backgrounds live with diabetes. Nearly 21 million 

of our citizens have this disease, and researchers estimate that more than 

6 million of these individuals have not been diagnosed and are unaware 

they have it. National Diabetes Month is an opportunity to educate citizens 

about diabetes and what they can do to help prevent and treat this disease. 

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, destroys insulin-producing 

cells and usually strikes children and teenagers. Nearly 95 percent of all 

diabetics suffer from type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body fails 

to produce or to use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes typically occurs 

in inactive or obese adults or individuals with a family history of the 

disease and now increasingly appears in inactive or overweight children. 

Because of a lack of insulin, diabetics face potential blindness, nontraumatic 

amputations, kidney disease, and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Studies have shown that minor weight loss and daily exercise can help 

prevent and reduce the effects of diabetes. I encourage all Americans to 

follow the new dietary guidelines released by the Department of Health 

and Human Services earlier this year that emphasize the importance of 

nutritious foods and regular physical activity. In addition to taking steps 

toward a healthier lifestyle, Americans should consult their doctors for 

preventive screenings to detect diabetes in its earliest stages. Under the 

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, 

these screenings are now covered for Medicare beneficiaries. These simple 

tests can save lives and help prevent this potentially life-threatening illness. 

My Administration remains committed to fighting diabetes through research 

and prevention, and we will continue to support the National Institutes 

of Health (NIH) and others in their efforts to combat this disease. This 

year, the NIH dedicated more than $1 billion to diabetes research. The 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NIH are also 

sponsoring the National Diabetes Education Program, which has helped to 

inform more than 180 million Americans in the last 3 years about healthy 

choices and the risk factors of diabetes. 

During National Diabetes Month and throughout the year, we pay tribute 

to the doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers, and all those dedicated to 

the fight against diabetes. I urge the millions of Americans living with 

this disease and all citizens to lead healthy lives and to motivate others 

to do the same. By working together to prevent this disease, we can improve 

the quality of life for more Americans. 

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 November 2005 as National 

Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the risk 

factors and symptoms associated with diabetes and to observe this month 

with appropriate programs and activities. 

67334 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2005 / Presidential Documents 

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

of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth. 

W 

[FR Doc. 05–22202 

Filed 11–3–05; 10:58 am] 

Billing code 3195–01–P