Proc. 7548 Title 3--The President by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our citi- zens to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to honor the religious diversity our freedom permits by recognizing annually a "National Day of Prayer." 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 May 2, 2002, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask Americans to pray for God's protection, to express grat- itude for our blessings, and to seek moral and spiritual renewal. I urge all our citizens to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, cere- monies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty- sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7548 of April 30, 2002 Law Day, U.S.A., 2002 By the President of the United States of Arnerica A Proclamation One of our Nation's greatest strengths is its commitment to a just, fair legal system and the protection it affords to the rights and freedoms we cherish. On May 1, we observe Law Day to draw attention to the principles of jus- tice and the practice of law. The theme of this year's Law Day, "Celebrate Your Freedom: Assuring Equal }ustice for All," acknowledges the essential task of protecting the rights of every American. When disputes or conflicts arise, or when persons are charged with vio- lating the law, resolution often occurs within the legal system. Consultation with an attorney is a common first step in this process. Attorneys advise clients of their rights and obligations, suggest possible courses of action, and help their clients to understand legal procedures. Attorneys are zealous advocates on behalf of their clients, helping to ensure that each one re- ceives full and fair representation before the courts. Bar associations and other attorney groups play an important role in maintaining the integrity of our legal system by overseeing admission to the bar and setting stand- ards of discipline for those who practice law. Our Founding Fathers believed that a strong and independent judiciary was a cornerstone of democracy. }udges must be men and women of skill, dis- cernment, experience, and character who meet the highest standards of training, temperament, and impartiality. They must understand and honor the powers granted to them under the Constitution, as well as the limits on those powers. In criminal matters, judges help to ensure that the inno- cent remain free and the guilty are appropriately punished. In civil dis- putes, judges' decisions help to safeguard the stability of the commercial 76
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