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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Nov 30 2008, 03:43 PM
 The 66th annual Santa Train makes its way through Kentucky David Stephenson / Lexington Herald-Leader via Zuma
Santa will be coming to town. You’ll be seeing commercials for every new toy on television. They’ve started already. There’s one way to keep your child from seeing the commercials. Turn off the T.V. Another way? DVR, Tivo, or only show DVDs. There is one last resort, make a plea to toy companies to stop running ads for toys.
What? No toy ads? Are parents crazy? How do parents expect toy companies to sell their merchandise if they don’t show toy ads to kids so the kids beg their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and also write their letter to Santa telling him how good they’ve been? That’s insanity! Or is it?
"In a season that inspires earnest letters about toys, one notable batch is being sent not by kids to Santa's workshop but by parents to the executive suites of real-world toy makers.
The message: Please, in these days of economic angst, cut back on marketing your products directly to our children.
The letter-writing initiative was launched by the Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which says roughly 1,400 of its members and supporters have contacted 24 leading toy companies and retailers to express concern about ads aimed at kids."
Continued HERE
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Nov 25 2008, 06:03 PM
Being a librarian isn't the most exciting job around, but librarians can be pretty intelligent. Some end up becoming school teachers, and who know, they could become the First Lady of the United States, like Laura Bush.
Some of them may even know a few things about saving money, like this librarian....
"A retired Virginia school teacher and librarian who died two years ago left more than $2 million to split between the universities she attended, the schools announced Tuesday.
Jane Iris Crutchfield's estate will donate $1.1 million each to the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia."
Continued HERE
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Nov 24 2008, 06:35 AM
For not allowing bed-jumping.
Of course, your beds probably would have fallen apart compared to the White House beds.
But mostly, the thought of one of you ending up on the floor, hitting your head and lying there unconscious is what prompted me to say, “Don’t jump on the beds!” And I do remember reciting this to you. Plus, I didn't get to jump on my bed either.
First family "bonding moment" revealed:
"Bush's 26-year-old daughter Barbara said she and her sister, Jenna Hager, took Sasha and Malia Obama on a tour of the presidential home Tuesday and even showed the young girls how to have some White House fun, People magazine reported Friday.
"We helped them jump on the beds," Barbara said. "We used to jump on the beds when we were little, too."
First lady Laura Bush echoed her daughter's comments, saying Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, were shown the inside scoop on White House bed-jumping.
"They're really tall beds; you need to get a running start," the first lady said."
Read the complete article HERE
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Nov 17 2008, 07:15 AM
It’s not surprising that President-elect Barack Obama would be advised to refrain from using email as president. But when email correspondence has been a huge part of your daily life, well, there will be a huge period of adjustment.
Then again, he should be kept too busy to be worrying about email, shouldn’t he?
"Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush both gave up e-mail in office, but Mr Obama will be the first BlackBerry user to occupy the White House.
He took mobile e-mail everywhere with him on the campaign trail.
In the summer, cameras filmed him checking his BlackBerry while watching one of his daughters playing football.
His wife Michelle slapped at his hands, obliging him to put it away.
"I think Obama is the first president who is addicted to the BlackBerry like the rest of us, and there's a lot of presidential records and archive rules on what gets stored and what doesn't," former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart told the Associated Press"
Read the entire article HERE
It’s not easy to adapt to change.
Obama said his mother-in-law may be moving into the White House, too.
It's a very large house.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Nov 16 2008, 09:33 PM
 President George W. Bush greets, from second from left, former New
York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani, his wife Judith, and New York Police
Commissioner Ray Kelly, after making remarks on the financial markets
and the World economy,Thursday, Nov. 13,2008, at Federal Hall in New York.
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Rudy Giuliani may have been down and out in 2008, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t leaving his options open for the future.
"Rudy Giuliani told CNN Sunday the failure of his presidential bid this year didn’t mark the end of his political career — and that his future could include another White House run.
The former New York City mayor said that the economic environment this year may have presented too big an obstacle for any Republican presidential hopeful to overcome."
2010 holds open the option of a run for Governor of New York...will he run?
Read the story from CNN HERE
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Nov 13 2008, 05:36 PM
 Getty Image
The late Richard Blackwell is trying to roll over!
I have no doubt.
I’d like to know who told Hillary Clinton that she looked divine in the my-bad bridesmaid gown she wore to
Glamour's 19th Annual Women of the Year awards!
Oh my!
Condi Rice sure shows some class though.
I have to point it out…after all, it is "Glamour.”
Check out a slideshow HERE
Wow!
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Nov 13 2008, 12:56 PM
In California they practiced for the ”Big One” today….
That’s a good thing, since seismologists say it’s inevitable that it happens.
The Southern California Shakeout is based on the "Big One" - a 7.8 magnitude temblor on the southern San Andreas fault, south-east of Los Angeles. An earthquake model mapped out for the event shows that it could cause 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries and $200bn in damage.
The Los Angeles area would be left without power, water or motorways.
The drill comes four months after a 5.4 magnitude quake east of Los Angeles. That quake caused little damage, but heightened awareness of the potential for disaster, and boosted registrations for Thursday's drill.An earthquake of a similar magnitude to the drill takes place every 150 years on the southern San Andreas fault.
The last one was 151 years ago and scientists warn that the fault is "10 months pregnant"."It's absolutely inevitable," said Lucy Jones, a seismologist with the US Geological Survey who helped organize the drill. "The only question is whether it is in our lifetime."
Read the entire article HERE
Yep…millions of people running and yelling, "Drop, cover and hold on".
Somehow I don’t believe that’s going to save them if a giant crack swallows them whole. Nope. Not if it's “The Big One."
Only one thing could do it….
1978 ~ Turning Back The World ~ Superman
Now that’s the real Big One…
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Nov 9 2008, 06:50 PM
By Janet Evans
Sunday, Nov 9 2008, 08:11 AM
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 7, 2008
World Freedom Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
On World Freedom Day, we celebrate the anniversary of the historic fall of the Berlin Wall and honor the brave citizens of East and West Germany who helped secure freedom and liberty for future generations.
The Berlin Wall stood as a barrier that isolated the victims of imperial Communism and totalitarian power from the promise of the free world. Standing in the presence of the wall, with an unshakable belief in the power of liberty, President Ronald Reagan issued a resounding challenge on behalf of the free and the unfree alike: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." On November 9, 1989, the citizens of East Germany finally triumphed over their Communist oppressors, and the Berlin Wall came tumbling down. As the hope of freedom spread, the Soviet empire collapsed, the Iron Curtain was lifted, and Eastern and Central Europe were liberated from decades of cruel tyranny.
The Cold War demonstrated once again that freedom is precious and cannot be taken for granted, that evil is real and must be confronted, and that if they are allowed to do so, harsh rulers will subjugate others in the name of hateful ideologies. History has also proven that the transformative power of liberty overcomes this oppression. Today, many former Communist countries are using their sovereignty to aid the rise of other young democracies and to shine the light of conscience on human rights abuses. Our belief in the universality of freedom is challenged time and again, but we continue to go forward with confidence that free nations will always prevail over the enemies of liberty, peace, and justice.
On World Freedom Day, we are reminded that injustice overseas can threaten our way of life at home, and we renew our commitment to helping those who suffer under the weight of oppression.
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 9, 2008, as World Freedom Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, reaffirming our dedication to freedom and democracy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
*****************************************************************************
President Ronald Reagan
Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate
West Berlin, Germany
June 12, 1987
ABC news reports on the fall of the Berlin Wall
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Nov 7 2008, 05:09 PM
Well, I guess I really don't call it "change," because If I recall, I think our GWB was talking about implementing yet another stimulus package before he left office.
But, I guess it's going all be better now since BHO (President-elect Barack H. Obama) wants to put one in place "immediately after taking office." Well, President Bush really wouldn't have had time to do that anyway, so maybe advice is being passed along.
Either way...I'd like a little more "change" in my pocket.
And while President-elect Obama said a "major issue" for him is deciding what dog to choose for his daughters (I love his daughters...maybe they can each have a dog...they look like daddy's girls and I don't think he's going to have a whole lot of time for them anymore : ( my major issue is a bit more than that.
I'm a little concerned about all of the foreign issues popping up. He's really being bombarded with them. As Biden said during one of the interviews, "Every president is tested." Well President Obama is going to be tested right off the bat...quite differently than President Bush was with 9-11, thankfully. But he's going to be tested. I do not envy him.
"President-elect Barack Obama vowed to push an economic stimulus package through Congress ``immediately after'' taking office in January if lawmakers and the Bush administration can't agree on one before then.
``This morning we woke up to more sobering news about the state of our economy,'' Obama said in Chicago today at his first news conference since winning the Nov. 4 presidential election.
A government report that the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in October, the highest level since 1994, is ``an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime,'' Obama said. "
Read the article HERE
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Nov 7 2008, 07:09 AM
Partiots Cheerleader Caitlin Davis, while visiting Boston College, says she wasn't "alert" when she was caught red-handed with the Sharpie that may have drawn swastikas on a passed-out guy. She says she didn't do it.
“At the time I had jumped in the picture with the kid, I didn’t realize what had been drawn on him, which I take responsibility for not being alert,” Caitlin told TMZ.com."
Read about it HERE
At least Caitlin takes some responsibility.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Oct 26 2008, 09:17 AM
...When he isn't angry over really tough questions by a news anchor who isn't a marshmallow like Katie Couric.
Obama campaign cuts off WFTV after interview with Joe Biden:
WFTV-Channel 9's Barbara West conducted a satellite interview with Sen. Joe Biden on Thursday. A friend says it's some of the best entertainment he's seen recently. What do you think?
West wondered about Sen. Barack Obama's comment, to Joe the Plumber, about spreading the wealth. She quoted Karl Marx and asked how Obama isn't being a Marxist with the "spreading the wealth" comment.
"Are you joking?" said Biden, who is Obama's running mate. "No," West said.
Article continued HERE
West has, well you know, if she had them, they would be made of steel.
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Oct 22 2008, 11:54 AM
(Screen grab from KGO-TV footage.)
I don’t believe any side…liberals or conservatives, take these Code Pink protesters seriously, do you? If you want to make a point, you don’t do it the way they do, always storm-trooping into a formal setting and doing antics like displaying fake blood on your hands in a court room or now, trying to hand cuff Karl Rove and arrest him. Whether you agree with what someone has done or not, making a farce out of it just makes you a buffoon and takes the attention off of everything else. Code Pink is the biggest freak show out there.
See the latest on msnbc HERE
Code Pink says they are "Women for Peace."
Check out some of their peaceful antics HERE
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Oct 20 2008, 06:50 AM
This week is National Forest Products Week. We do have beautiful forest in our country. Definitely worth preserving and using wisely. I had to smile when reading the end of the Proclamation where it says to “observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and celebrations.” I can’t think of any celebrations off hand for forest products week. I mean, are we honoring the products or the forests? Should we do some toilet papering? Or should we plant a tree?
The greatest observation we can make is that we realize that we need to preserve our forests at all costs. After taking care of our own forests, we need to watch closely Brazil and other countries participating heavily in deforestation of the rain forests . What they are doing has extreme consequences on the entire world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 16, 2008
National Forest Products Week, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
During National Forest Products Week, we highlight our country's commitment to protect and wisely use America's forests for our Nation's prosperity and well-being.
Across our country, citizens rely on forest products to meet their daily needs. Our forests enable us to produce goods such as paper and furniture, provide raw materials such as lumber for homes and buildings, and offer job opportunities that bring economic security for many Americans.
My Administration is steadfast in its commitment to protect our forests from both manmade and natural harm. It is vital that we continue to make progress in conserving our natural resources and using them responsibly. Since 2002, we have worked to restore our forests and protected them against catastrophic fires as part of the Healthy Forests Initiative. Americans take great pride in our country's natural splendor, and by working together to be good stewards of the environment, we can leave our children and grandchildren a healthy and flourishing land.
Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring our Nation's well-being, the Congress, by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday in October of each year as "National Forest Products Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 19 through October 25, 2008, as National Forest Products Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Oct 14 2008, 11:52 AM
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 14, 2008
President Bush Discusses Economy
Rose Garden
8:02 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I just completed a meeting with my working group on financial markets. We discussed the unprecedented and aggressive steps the federal government is taking to address the financial crisis. Over the past few weeks, my administration has worked with both parties in Congress to pass a financial rescue plan. Federal agencies have moved decisively to shore up struggling institutions and stabilize our markets. And the United States has worked with partners around the world to coordinate our actions to get our economies back on track.
This weekend, I met with finance ministers from the G7 and the G20 -- organizations representing some of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies. We agreed on a coordinated plan for action to provide new liquidity, strengthen financial institutions, protect our citizens' savings, and ensure fairness and integrity in the markets. Yesterday, leaders in Europe moved forward with this plan. They announced significant steps to inject capital into their financial systems by purchasing equity in major banks. And they announced a new effort to jumpstart lending by providing temporary government guarantees for bank loans. These are wise and timely actions, and they have the full support of the United States.
Today, I am announcing new measures America is taking to implement the G7 action plan and strengthen banks across our country.
First, the federal government will use a portion of the $700 billion financial rescue plan to inject capital into banks by purchasing equity shares. This new capital will help healthy banks continue making loans to businesses and consumers. And this new capital will help struggling banks fill the hole created by losses during the financial crisis, so they can resume lending and help spur job creation and economic growth. This is an essential short-term measure to ensure the viability of America's banking system. And the program is carefully designed to encourage banks to buy these shares back from the government when the markets stabilize and they can raise capital from private investors.
Second, and effective immediately, the FDIC will temporarily guarantee most new debt issued by insured banks. This will address one of the central problems plaguing our financial system -- banks have been unable to borrow money, and that has restricted their ability to lend to consumers and businesses. When money flows more freely between banks, it will make it easier for Americans to borrow for cars, and homes, and for small businesses to expand.
Third, the FDIC will immediately and temporarily expand government insurance to cover all non-interest bearing transaction accounts. These accounts are used primarily by small businesses to cover day-to-day operations. By insuring every dollar in these accounts, we will give small business owners peace of mind and bring stability to the -- and bring greater stability to the banking system.
Fourth, the Federal Reserve will soon finalize work on a new program to serve as a buyer of last resort for commercial paper. This is a key source of short-term financing for American businesses and financial institutions. And by unfreezing the market for commercial paper, the Federal Reserve will help American businesses meet payroll, and purchase inventory, and invest to create jobs.
In a few moments, Secretary Paulson and other members of my Working Group on Financial Markets will explain these steps in greater detail. They will make clear that each of these new programs contains safeguards to protect the taxpayers. They will make clear that the government's role will be limited and temporary. And they will make clear that these measures are not intended to take over the free market, but to preserve it.
The measures I have announced today are the latest steps in this systematic approach to address the crisis. I know Americans are deeply concerned about the stress in our financial markets, and the impact it is having on their retirement accounts, and 401(k)s, and college savings, and other investments. I recognize that the action leaders are taking here in Washington and in European capitals can seem distant from those concerns. But these efforts are designed to directly benefit the American people by stabilizing our overall financial system and helping our economy recover.
It will take time for our efforts to have their full impact, but the American people can have confidence about our long-term economic future. We have a strategy that is broad, that is flexible, and that is aimed at the root cause of our problem. Nations around the world are working together to overcome this challenge. And with confidence and determination, we will return our economies to the path of growth and prosperity.
Thank you.
END 8:08 A.M. EDT
Audio Feed of Speech
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Oct 11 2008, 05:54 PM
Sister Ardeth Platte (left) and Sister Carol Gilbert
Washington Times photo
Sister Carol and Sister Ardeth have been labeled terrorists, wrongfully, in the federal database.
I, once again not being Catholic, would like to know what in the world kind of nuns these represent?
Is the work they do the work of God?
These nuns have been in prison:
Sister Carol and Sister Ardeth make no apologies for their actions and demonstrations in the past. In 2002, the two, along with another nun, broke into a nuclear missile site in Colorado and used their own blood to paint crosses on a silo. Sister Ardeth was sentenced to 41 months and Sister Carol was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison.
Read the entire article HERE
Is what these nuns do fitting in with the vows they have taken?
Poverty The vow of poverty leads a nun to imitate Jesus who for our sake became poor, although he was rich. It helps her to be poor in spirit as well as in fact, and to live a life of labor and moderation. By the vow of poverty , she gives up the right to control or benefit from personal property and commits herself to live interdependently within a community, according to its constitutions. The purpose of this vow is to free her from being fascinated by material things so that she may be free to serve others.
Chastity The vow of chastity leads a nun to imitate Jesus who was chaste. This vow frees her from the demands of an exclusive human relationship so that she can give all her love to God, and through God to all people. By the vow she promises not to marry or to engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts.
Obedience The vow of obedience leads the nun to imitate the obedience of Jesus Christ. By seeking God's will for her and obeying her lawful superiors according to the constitutions of her particular group. As a member of her religious community, she searches for the will of God, not in arbitrary commands, but in prayerful reflection and dialogue with others.
Even reflecting upon a Dominican Nun in the United States, I do not see how the activites of these two nuns fits into their service.
Definitely not singing nuns, that’s for sure, although, while in prison, perhaps they sang like caged birds.
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Oct 11 2008, 07:35 AM
Terri Bordelon, AP
One man died and another one was critically injured Friday after their hot air balloon hit power lines, burst into flames and crashed during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico.Stephen Lachendro of Butler, Pa., was killed and Keith Sproul of North Brunswick, N.J., was critically injured.
A hot air balloon crashed into power lines and burst into flames Friday,
killing one of two men thrown from the basket and critically injuring the
other during Albuquerque's annual balloon fiesta. ...
Three Balloon Incidents Reported Friday, Including Fatal Accident
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Oct 9 2008, 11:56 AM
Yes, that 21st Century technology is a witch (I guess I have to say witch since the filter wouldn't let me say what I wanted, but you get my point).
Seems the National Debt Clock in New York City ran itself out of digits….
As we are running ourselves into more debt.
Well, I guess the wizards thought it would never, ever happen….not in a million years….
"NEW YORK - In a sign of the times, the National Debt Clock in New York City has run out of digits to record the growing figure.
As a short-term fix, the digital dollar sign on the billboard-style clock near Times Square has been switched to a figure — the "1" in $10 trillion. It's marking the federal government's current debt at about $10.2 trillion."
Continued
And Bloomberg wants to run for another term...you would think he would have noticed, since he's so worried about the financial crisis and all.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Oct 5 2008, 09:10 AM
"Engineer sent text message"
When I saw the headline referenced above last Friday, I admit I thought twice about it, but uncharacteristic for me, I actually took the optimistic route with it and thought it was a positive story. I thought the railroad engineer actually texted a call for help, or texted some information. The slight inkling I had at first that he was texting while operating the train left my mind quickly. Well, my first thoughts were correct, although, they actually were just the tip of the iceberg.
Yes, he was texting...last month on a commmuter train in Los Angeles. He did it just seconds before the train ran through a red light and crashed. 25 people were killed in that tragedy...his fault. And guess what...he had been texting not once, not ten, not 20 times..well you won't believe it, throughout the day...
From the Daily Journal
Through cell phone records, the preliminary report has determined that the engineer sent a text message 22 seconds before the train ran through a red light. Further investigation discovered the engineer had sent or received 57 messages while on duty the day of the crash. That is an average of seven messages per hour during an eight-hour shift. When was this guy conducting the train?
Secondhand texting resulted in 25 deaths. Will it take cell phone-related deaths to equal alcohol- or smoke-related deaths before someone calls for a ban on cell phones?
Continued HERE
You know, I really don't care if people want to talk on their cell phones, but I do care if they aren't able to drive correctly because they are doing so. Too many aren't signaling because they don't have a free hand. And when they're texting..their eyes aren't on the road. Many cell phone users aren't going the proper speed limit, either.
All it takes is for your head to be down or your eyes to be off the road for a couple seconds...and you can kill one person, a whole family, cause a multi-car pile-up on the highway...who knows what can happen.
Do I want a cell phone ban? No, I don't. Do we have to have the government tell us what to do about everything in our lives? Can't people just use some common sense? But they can't do that, and that's why there will end up being a ban on cell phone use in cars.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Oct 5 2008, 07:10 AM
Child Health Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
Americans have a duty to promote the health and safety of our children. On Child Health Day, we affirm that all children are a precious gift, and we underscore our commitment to helping them realize their full potential.
Families are the foundation of our society, and parents play the vital role of providing stability, guidance, and discipline so children can lead healthy lives. Teachers, caregivers, and mentors can also help teach children about the importance of making good choices. All Americans can help our Nation's youth become healthy and responsible adults by encouraging them to avoid risky behaviors such as early sexual activity, drugs, alcohol, and violence.
My Administration remains dedicated to helping younger generations achieve their dreams by supporting programs that encourage children to maintain healthy and active lifestyles. The Helping America's Youth initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, is helping children make smart decisions so they can confront challenges and live longer and better lives. The Healthier US initiative encourages positive habits and addresses public health issues facing our Nation's youth, such as childhood obesity. Through the President's Challenge, we are promoting personal fitness and encouraging youth to stay active beyond the school gym. Through these and other efforts, we can make our country stronger by teaching children the importance of healthy choices.
The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18, 1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the designation of the first Monday in October as "Child Health Day" and has requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 6, 2008, as Child Health Day. I call upon families, schools, child health professionals, faith-based and community organizations,and State and local governments to reach out to our Nation's young people, encourage them to avoid dangerous behavior, and help them make the right choices to achieve their dreams.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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