Proc. 7953 Title 3--The President 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 Adoption Month. I call on all Americans to observe this month with appro- priate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children. 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 Independ- ence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth. GEORGE W. BUSH 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 mil- lion of our citizens have this disease, and researchers estimate that more than 6 million of these individuals have not been diagnosed and are un- aware 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-pro- ducing 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 dis- ease and now increasingly appears in inactive or overweight children. Be- cause 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 pre- vent 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 nutri- tious 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 Pre- scription 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 re- search and prevention, and we will continue to support the National Insti- tutes of Health (NIH) and others in their efforts to combat this disease. This 132
�
