[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67333-67334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22202]




                        Presidential Documents 



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

[[Page 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.

[[Page 67334]]

                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.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 05-22202
Filed 11-3-05; 10:58 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P