118 STAT. 4126 PROCLAMATION 7778—APR. 30, 2004 other public schools, charter schools offer teachers and administrators more freedom in tailoring programs to meet specific student and com- munity needs. In exchange for this freedom, they must meet stricter ac- countability standards. Now in their second decade, the demand for charter schools is growing among families from all backgrounds. During this school year, our Na- tion’s charter schools will educate nearly 700,000 students. Many fami- lies choose charter schools because of the innovative curriculum and focus on academic achievement, and because these schools can be a promising alternative to a low-performing neighborhood school. Charter schools are an important part of the No Child Left Behind Act. They provide parents with more choices for their children’s education. The greater autonomy of charter schools allows them to employ inno- vative educational practices. Studies have shown that many charter schools improve academic achievement for their students and that par- ents of students in charter schools are satisfied with their children’s schools. My fiscal year 2005 budget includes an overall 49 percent increase for elementary and secondary education over 2001 levels, and it proposes $219 million for charter school grants and $100 million for charter school facilities. Together, funding for these two charter school pro- grams has increased 68 percent over 2001 levels. By raising expecta- tions, insisting on results, and refusing to accept failure, we are strengthening our public schools and improving education for all chil- dren in America. 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 May 2 through May 8, 2004, as National Charter Schools Week. I commend our Nation’s charter schools, and I call on parents of charter school students to share their successes to help all Americans understand more about the important work of charter schools. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, 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 7778 of April 30, 2004 Law Day, U.S.A., 2004 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The theme of this year’s Law Day, ‘‘To Win Equality by Law: Brown v. Board at 50,’’; celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The Declaration of Independence declared the equality of each person before God and the responsibility of Government to secure the rights of all. However, it was not until ratification of the 14th Amendment VerDate 11-MAY-2000 15:04 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 8087 Sfmt 8087 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.004 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4
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