PROCLAMATION 7597-SEPT. 20, 2002 116 STAT. 3307 new and emerging international markets. And the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will improve business practices by creating tough corporate responsibility laws that will help expose and punish acts of corruption and protect small investors. These vital initiatives will benefit minority business enterprises and help these important job creators compete fully and fairly in the global economy. My Administration, through the efforts of the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), is committed to promoting the growth of minority businesses. In FY 2001, the MBDA assisted minority businesses in gaining access to $1.6 billion in contracts. In addition, last year the SBA offered assistance to more than 1 million small business owners, and continues to play a major role in our Nation's disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery loans available to Americans. The important efforts of the MBDA and SBA help businesses build entrepreneurial opportunity for all. 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 September 22 through September 28, 2002, as Minority Enterprise Development Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week with appropriate observances, ceremonies, and activities, and to recognize the countless contributions of our Nation's minority enterprises. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7597 of September 20, 2002 Family Day, 2002 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America's character begins in the home, where children learn proper standards of conduct, principled values, and the importance of service. Families provide children the encouragement, support, and love they need to become confident, compassionate, and successful members of society. We must work together to promote and preserve the health and security of our families by upholding the timeless values that have sustained our society through history. Recent events have reminded Americans of the blessings of family and friends, and of the importance of faith. As a Nation, we have a renewed dedication to our freedom, our country, and our principles. In homes, schools, places of worship, the workplace, and civic and social organizations, we must continue to encourage responsibility, compassion, and good citizenship. Americans must also act to fight crime and drugs, and provide a safe and healthy environment for our children. We can begin by working
�
