Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 122.djvu/5344

 12 2 STA T .53 21 PROCL A M AT I O N8 2 67— MA Y 3 0, 2008 Indep enden c e ofth e U n i ted S t a te s of Am e r ica the t w oh u ndred and thirt y- second .GEOR GE W . B US HProclam a ti o n8267 o fM a y30, 2008 Nation a lCh il d’sD a y,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation America has a duty to pro v ide its chi l dren with the support and s k ills they need to b ecome the ne x t g eneration of responsible leaders. On N a- tional C hild ’ s D ay , we underscore the importance of fostering the love, encouragement, and protection that empowers our children to become happy and successful adults. Children are a precious gift who need the love and support of family and friends to lead lives rich in promise and fulfillment. P arents are the most vital part of a child’s life, providing them with the guidance and discipline to make the right choices and understand the con- se q uences of their actions. F amily, teachers, and others inspire our youth to use their talents and to become confident and caring adults. Religious and community leaders also have a role in teaching values and encouraging children to love their neighbors j ust as they would like to be loved themselves. T ogether, we can all help our children be prepared to meet life’s challenges and reali z e the great promise of our country. M y Administration continues to support programs that help prepare America’s youth for the opportunities ahead. The No Child L eft Behind Act requires that every child have access to a quality education. We have made significant progress toward that goal across the country, with students achieving record math and reading scores. The America COMPETES Act, which was built upon my American Competitiveness Initiative, helped strengthen our goal of staying competitive within the global economy. The Helping America’s Y outh initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, encourages adults to work to help our young people reach their full potential. On National Child’s Day and throughout the year, we honor the boys and girls of America and show our gratitude to those who work to sup- port them. This day is a reminder to us all that our commitment to children helps make our country a better place. 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 J une 1, 20 0 8 , as National Child’s Day. I call upon all our citizens to celebrate National Child’s Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also urge all Americans to dedicate time and energy to educating our youth and providing them with a safe and caring environment. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the

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