118 STAT. 4199 PROCLAMATION 7835—OCT. 20, 2004 community service as a vital part of education. In addition, more than 1,300 communities have formed Citizen Corps Councils; over 10,000 communities have registered Neighborhood Watch programs; more than 27,000 Americans are serving in the Medical Reserve Corps; over 52,000 citizens have completed Community Emergency Response Team training; and there are more than 68,000 volunteers in the Volunteers in Police Service program. The true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of its citizens, and these volunteers are making our country better and stronger. 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 October 17 through October 23, 2004, as National Character Counts Week. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, parents, students, and all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activi- ties, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7835 of October 20, 2004 National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2004 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Americans with disabilities are active and contributing members of our society, and they must have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to compete and obtain jobs in the 21st century workforce. By re- ducing physical barriers and false perceptions, our country meets our commitment to millions of Americans with disabilities, and benefits from their talents, creativity, and hard work. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has brought about important progress in our Nation. Under my Administration’s New Freedom Initiative, we continue to work to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in the workplace and all aspects of community life. Through funding for new technologies and innovative resources, we are changing old ways of thinking and fulfilling the Fed- eral Government’s commitment to opportunity for every citizen. The New Freedom Initiative has helped enable individuals with dis- abilities to access assistive technologies. My Administration has in- vested in research and development for new technology. We have ex- panded the Department of Defense’s Computer/Electronic Accommoda- tions Program, which provides Federal employees with disabilities greater access to electronic and information technology. The Depart- ment of Labor launched DisabilityInfo.gov in 2002, an online resource that streamlines access to information about Federally sponsored em- ployment, job accommodations, transportation, State and regional as- VerDate 11-MAY-2000 15:04 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00165 Fmt 8087 Sfmt 8087 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.004 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4
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