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 Proc. 7978 Title 3--The President to serve, and I encourage all Americans to donate their time, energy, and talents to the work ahead. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7978 of February 1, 2006 American Heart Month, 2006 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation More than 70 million Americans live with some form of heart disease, and this disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. During American Heart Month, we reinforce our commitment to fighting heart dis- ease by promoting awareness about its risks, its causes, and the ways to reduce the chance of developing this deadly illness. Many of the factors that lead to heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and obesity, can be controlled with commonsense steps and healthy lifestyles. Through the HealthierUS Initiative, my Admin- istration encourages Americans to work toward four simple goals that can lead to a healthy heart: exercise daily; develop good eating habits; avoid tobacco, drugs, and excessive alcohol; and take advantage of preventive screenings to detect problems early. First Lady Laura Bush helps lead "The Heart Truth" campaign through her Women's Health and Wellness Initiative. The campaign was launched by business, non-profit, and government organizations, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, to educate women about the risks of heart disease and to encourage them to make their cardiovascular health a pri- ority. Along with the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign, these initiatives use the red dress as a symbol to remind women to make healthy choices and talk with their doctors about heart disease. As a result of the Medicare Modernization Act, our seniors have more choices to prevent, diagnose, and treat potential problems before they be- come worse. Medicare now covers preventive screenings, a "Welcome to Medicare" physical for new beneficiaries, and innovative programs to help seniors fight chronic threats. I urge all Medicare beneficiaries to take ad- vantage of these measures as part of a healthy lifestyle. All Americans can improve their heart health and live longer, better lives by taking an active role in their health care decisions and consulting their physician for the latest information. As we observe American Heart Month, we recognize those battling heart disease; we express gratitude to the fam- ily members and friends who are a source of love and encouragement; and we commend the medical professionals and researchers who provide assist- ance and work to find cures and improve treatments. 6

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