Proc. 7537 Title 3--The President As we observe Cancer Control Month, I applaud the scientists, healthcare providers, and public health professionals who work tirelessly to find cures for this disease and to aid and assist the patients who suffer from it. I call on all our citizens to learn more about cancer by contacting the NCI's Can- cer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER or visiting its Internet address at http://www. cancer.gov. I also encourage all Americans to protect their health by promoting cancer awareness in their families and communities. Individuals should pursue a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, suffi- cient consumption of fruits and vegetables, avoidance of tobacco products, and regular age-appropriate cancer screenings. By working together to raise awareness about the risks of cancer and the importance of medical re- search, we can improve the quality of life for millions of Americans and ultimately defeat this terrible disease. In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution (52 Stat. \17748; 36 U.S.C. \17703) as amended, requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April as "Cancer Control Month." 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 April 2002 as Cancer Control Month. I call on concerned citizens, government agencies, private industry, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to reaffirm our Na- tion's commitment to preventing and curing cancer. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7537 of April 1, 2002 National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2002 By the President of the United States of Arnerica A Proclamation Every child deserves to be cared for by parents who provide love, protec- tion, and nurturing. Safe and healthy childhoods help produce confident and successful adults. When parents are unable to meet their responsibil- ities, the consequences are tragic for their children and for society. Nation- wide, reports show that more than 879,000 children are victims of child abuse and neglect and approximately 1,200 children die from maltreatment, many at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them. Children who are abused and neglected often carry the effects of their expe- riences into adulthood. They are much more likely to experience problems with substance abuse, depression, learning disabilities, and to engage in criminal activities and violence against others, including abuse of their own children. The societal effects of child abuse include the need for in- creased child welfare services, special education resources, physical and emotional health care services, and juvenile justice facilities. 64
�
