[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7652 of February 28, 2003
 
Save Your Vision Week, 2003

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Each year, the number of Americans who suffer from vision loss
increases, yet half of all blindness can be prevented through early
detection and treatment. During Save Your Vision Week, we renew our
commitment to protecting eyesight by promoting healthy eye care and by
encouraging Americans to receive routine vision screenings and dilated
eye exams.
Our sense of sight affects how we work, communicate, and learn. All
Americans must be aware of the risk of vision loss and take steps to
preserve and protect their eyesight, beginning with getting regular eye
exams, using the appropriate protective eyewear, and maintaining a
healthy lifestyle. These small steps can make a big difference. When
Americans take responsibility for improving their health, our whole
society benefits.
Healthy vision is especially critical to our children's ability to
receive a good education and establish a strong foundation in life.
According to the American Optometric Association, 80 percent of learning
depends on vision, yet 86 percent of children entering school have not
had a thorough eye examination. Due to hereditary and prenatal factors,
from a very early age, many children are at high risk for potentially
severe eye diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP),
amblyopia, and congenital glaucoma. One in four kids will develop myopia
as teenagers. Children need regular eye care from birth to prevent and
treat conditions that lead to visual impairment and blindness. Parents
play a key role in obtaining eye care for their children and must be
knowledgeable about the potential threats to a child's eyesight. For the
future of our Nation, it is vital that we care for the visual health and
well-being of America's children so they are able to reach their full
potential.
As part of my HealthierUS Initiative and my Administration's ongoing
commitment to helping the American people live healthier lives, I
encourage all Americans to get preventative health screenings. These
screenings may tell you if you are prone to developing certain diseases,
can help protect your vision, and could even save your life. I
particularly urge parents to ask their children's doctors about vision
screenings and eye exams, which can help ensure eye diseases and
conditions are detected and treated early, when treatment is most
effective. Through education about healthy vision and promotion of good
eye care, we help protect the eyesight of countless people across our
Nation.
The Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended
(77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has authorized and requested the
President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as ``Save
Your Vision Week.'' During this week, I encourage all Americans to learn
more about ways to prevent eye problems and to help others maintain the
precious gift of sight.

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117 STAT. 3013

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim March 2 through March 8, 2003, as Save Your
Vision Week. I urge all Americans to make eye care and eye safety an
important part of their lives and to include dilated eye examinations in
their regular health maintenance programs. I invite eye care
professionals, teachers, the media, and all public and private
organizations dedicated to preserving eyesight to join in activities
that will raise awareness of measures all Americans can take to protect
and sustain our vision.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day
of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH