Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 118.djvu/4130

 118 STAT. 4100 PROCLAMATION 7754—FEB. 2, 2004 ing the University of Virginia. Recognizing the importance of faith to our people, our Founding Fathers guaranteed religious freedom in the Constitution. Protecting our religious freedom requires the vigilance of the American people and of government at all levels. Within my Administration, the Department of Justice is acting to protect religious freedom, including prosecuting those who attack people or places of worship because of religious affiliation. The Department of Education has issued new guidelines that allow students to engage in constitutionally protected religious activity in public schools. These guidelines protect, for exam- ple, students’ rights to say a prayer before meals in the cafeteria, to gather with other students before school to pray, and to engage in other expressions of personal faith. Through my Faith-Based and Community Initiative, my Administration continues to encourage the essential work of faith-based and commu- nity organizations. Governments can and should support effective so- cial services, including those provided by religious people and organi- zations. When government gives that support, it is important that faith- based institutions not be forced to change their religious character. In December 2002, I signed an Executive Order to end discrimination against faith-based organizations in the Federal grants process. In Sep- tember 2003, in implementing this order, my Administration elimi- nated many of the barriers that have kept faith-based charities from partnering with the Federal Government to help Americans in need. Six Federal agencies have proposed or finalized new regulations to en- sure that no organization or beneficiary will be discriminated against in a Federally funded social service program on the basis of religion. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2004, as Religious Freedom Day. I urge all Americans to reflect on the blessings of our religious freedom and to observe this day through ap- propriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of wor- ship. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7754 of February 2, 2004 American Heart Month, 2004 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It af- fects men and women of every age and race. During American Heart Month, we encourage all Americans to join the fight against heart dis- ease and to learn more about how to prevent it. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 15:04 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 8087 Sfmt 8087 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.004 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4

�