Proclamation 5761.

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102 STAT. 4947 Proclamation 5761 of January 14, 1988 National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America has given a great gift to the world, a gift that drew upon the accumulated wisdom derived from centuries of experiments in self-government, a gift that has irrevocably changed humanity’s future. Our gift is twofold: the declaration, as a cardinal principle of all just law, of the God-given, unalienable rights possessed by every human being; and the example of our determination to secure those rights and to defend them against every challenge through the generations.

Our declaration and defense of our rights have made us and kept us free and have sent a tide of hope and inspiration around the globe. One of those unalienable rights, as the Declaration of Independence affirms so eloquently, is the right to life. In the 15 years since the Supreme Court’s decision in *Roe v. Wade*, however, America’s unborn have been denied their right to life. Among the tragic and unspeakable results in the past decade and a half have been the loss of life of 22 million infants before birth; the pressure and anguish of countless women and girls who are driven to abortion; and a cheapening of our respect for the human person and the sanctity of human life.

We are told that we may not interfere with abortion. We are told that we may not “impose our morality” on those who wish to allow or participate in the taking of the life of infants before birth; yet no one calls it “imposing morality” to prohibit the taking of life after people are born. We are told as well that there exists a “right” to end the lives of unborn children; yet no one can explain how such a right can exist in stark contradiction of each person’s fundamental right to life.

That right to life belongs equally to babies in the womb, babies born handicapped, and the elderly or infirm. That we have killed the unborn for 15 years does not nullify this right, nor could any number of killings ever do so. The unalienable right to life is found not only in the Declaration of Independence but also in the Constitution that every President is sworn to preserve, protect, and defend. Both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee that no person shall be deprived of life without due process of law.

All medical and scientific evidence increasingly affirms that children before birth share all the basic attributes of human personality—that they in fact are persons. Modern medicine treats unborn children as patients. Yet, as the Supreme Court itself has noted, the decision in *Roe v. Wade* rested upon an earlier state of medical technology. The law of the land in 1988 should recognize all of the medical evidence. Our Nation cannot continue down the path of abortion, so radically at odds with our history, our heritage, and our concepts of justice.

This sacred legacy, and the well-being and the future of our country, demand that protection of the innocents must be guaranteed and that the personhood of the unborn be declared and defended throughout the land. In legislation introduced at my request in the First Session of the 100th Congress, I have asked the Legislative branch to declare the “humanity of the unborn child and the compelling interest of the several 102 STAT. 4948states to protect the life of each person before birth.

” This duty to declare on so fundamental a matter falls to the Executive as well. By this Proclamation I hereby do so. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, 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 and declare the unalienable personhood of every American, from the moment of conception until natural death, and I do proclaim, ordain, and declare that I will take care that the Constitution and laws of the United States are faithfully executed for the protection of America’s unborn children.

Upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God. I also proclaim Sunday, January 17, 1988, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather on that day in their homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life they enjoy and to reaffirm their commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of every human life.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5762 January 21, 1988 American Heart Month, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5762 of January 21, 1988 American Heart Month, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For more than half of this century, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, collectively called cardiovascular diseases, have been our Nation’s most serious health problem.

Last year, these diseases claimed 973,000 lives, and they caused serious and sometimes permanent illness or disability in still more Americans. Within this family of diseases, the leading killers remained coronary heart disease, which accounted for 524,000 deaths, and strokes, which accounted for 148,000 deaths. Grim though these statistics may be, other statistics indicate that a corner may have been turned in 1965. Since then, mortality rates for all cardiovascular diseases, and especially for the two leading killers—coronary heart disease and stroke—have been moving steadily downward.

For example, since 1972, mortality rates for all cardiovascular diseases combined have fallen by 34 percent, and those for coronary heart disease and stroke have declined by 35 percent and 50 percent respectively. One major reason for the decline in cardiovascular mortality rates is that more and more Americans are modifying their habits in the direction of better cardiovascular health. Research has identified factors that increase vulnerability to premature coronary heart disease or stroke, and millions of Americans are acting on that knowledge to 102 STAT. 4949eliminate or ameliorate the risk factors that can be modified.

These include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and sedentary living. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, encouraged by the success of its National High Blood Pressure Education Program, has now launched similar programs against two other major risk factors: cigarette smoking and elevated blood cholesterol. Today, the person stricken with a heart attack has a much better chance of surviving the acute episode, thanks to continued improvement in diagnosis and treatment.

More and more of the stricken are reaching the hospital alive, thanks to better recognition of ominous symptoms, widespread teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, and better-equipped emergency vehicles with better-trained crews. Many individuals and organizations have contributed to the past four decades of progress against cardiovascular diseases. However, two organizations—the federally funded National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the privately supported American Heart Association—have been in the forefront of this national effort.

Since 1948, the two have worked in close cooperation to foster and support increased basic and clinical research in the cardiovascular field, to train new research scientists and clinicians, and to participate in a wide variety of community service and public and professional information activities. Through their efforts, Americans have become more aware of what they can do to live healthier lives. Much has already been accomplished, but much more remains to be done. Recognizing the need for all Americans to take part in the continuing battle against heart disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 169b), has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating February as “American Heart Month.

” NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of February 1988 as American Heart Month. I invite all appropriate government officials and the American people to join with me in reaffirming our commitment to finding new or improved ways to prevent, detect, and control cardiovascular diseases. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth.

RONALD REAGAN 5763 January 28, 1988 National Challenger Center Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5763 of January 28, 1988 National Challenger Center Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Two years ago, on January 28, 1986, America lost the seven-member crew of the Challenger. Now as then, we join the families of those gal-102 STAT. 4950lant Space Shuttle explorers in mourning them and in saluting their courage, vision, and determination.

The families of Challenger’s crew members, sharing the bold spirit of the loved and lost, resolved to join in the task of preparing America’s coming generations of astronauts and scientists—of inspiring young people and of giving them the opportunity to develop all of the knowledge and capabilities they would need in space and science research. To that end, the families established a living memorial, the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. The Center will be a tribute to the Challenger crew and to their achievements, their bravery, and their dedication to America’s leadership in space.

The Center will stimulate and enhance students’ search for knowledge and involvement in science, especially the space sciences. The Center, which will rely on private donations, has already established headquarters in our Nation’s Capital and is planning regional sites. The goals of the Center are those of all Americans, as National Challenger Center Day reminds us so well. Let our Nation’s continued mission in the exploration of space pay tribute to the Center and to the families, and let it forever salute Challenger’s crew and its quest.

To commemorate the members of the Challenger crew, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 201, has designated January 28, 1988, as “National Challenger Center Day” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim January 28, 1988, as National Challenger Center Day, and I call on the people of the United States to observe this day by remembering the Challenger astronauts who died while serving their country and by reflecting upon the important role of the Center in honoring them and in furthering their goal of strengthening space and science education.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5764 January 28, 1988 American Red Cross Month, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5764 of January 28, 1988 American Red Cross Month, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The remarkable story of the International Red Cross began at Solferino, in northern Italy, exactly 125 years ago, when battling Austrian and French soldiers brought death and destruction to the countryside—and when Swiss traveler Henri Dunant realized that wounded soldiers should receive assistance no matter what their allegiance.

From that compassion at Solferino grew a great tradition and a humanitarian organization that relieves the sufferings of all those wounded 102 STAT. 4951not only by war but also by poor health, old age, personal adversity, natural calamity, and so on. As Americans join people around the globe in observing this anniversary, we reflect that the story could have turned out much differently if Henri Dunant—one man, after all—had ignored Solferino and its victims. Clara Barton, for instance, might never have founded the American Red Cross, and her counterparts in other countries might never have founded sister societies.

Life would truly have been different in our land for people who needed blood, or evacuees left homeless by floods, or accident victims, or countless others. A century and a quarter after Solferino, we have real reason to celebrate the victory for humanity and for international cooperation that sprang from that battlefield. Today, 145 national societies of the International Red Cross offer help without regard to race, creed, cause, or nationality. Like many of these societies, the American Red Cross provides assistance on several fronts, including health and safety, disaster relief, blood, and social services.

Every day, the American Red Cross battles the devastation left by natural disasters. Last year, the Red Cross clothed, fed, or sheltered 450,000 disaster victims, and through the generosity of the American people it provided individuals with $122 million in disaster relief. The Red Cross also assists military personnel, last year alone helping members of the Armed Forces and their families 2.5 million times. Daily it relays 4,000 messages of birth, death, and illness to military posts worldwide.

The American Red Cross battles potential threats to the blood supply by collecting, and testing for disease, more than half of our Nation’s blood supply. Last year, four million volunteers donated blood to the Red Cross, restoring life and health to millions of blood recipients. The Red Cross also fights hazards to health and safety by training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, swimming, water and boating safety, and preparation for parenthood and babysitting. Last year, seven million Americans successfully completed Red Cross courses.

Last year, Red Cross chapters also distributed 67 million AIDS brochures and urged the public “to get the facts.” The Red Cross also combats social and economic problems; it helps young mothers, assists the aged, the homeless, and the destitute, and helps immigrants learn English. These are some of the reasons we all rejoice in the vision and the mission of the American Red Cross, especially in this 125th anniversary year of the International Red Cross. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the American National Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the month of March 1988 as American Red Cross Month.

I urge all Americans to continue their generous support and ready assistance to the work of the American Red Cross and its more than 2,800 chapters, 1.4 million adult members, and three million youth volunteers. 102 STAT. 4952 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5765 February 2, 1988 National Consumers Week, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5765 of February 2, 1988 National Consumers Week, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Across our Nation and around the world, consumers are sending business an important message: there is no substitute for good service, the kind on which companies make their reputations.

Under free enterprise, we consumers express our views through our everyday marketplace decisions and require businesses to adapt to our changing consumer choices. The flexibility of American economic freedom opens the door to many opportunities for consumers and businesses. Both profit from today’s increased emphasis on service. Customer-oriented companies that listen to their customers and make the commitment to act on their customers’ wishes outperform their self-centered competitors time and again in profitability and customer loyalty.

As a result, consumers are finding increasing responsiveness in some corners of the marketplace and are creating a demand for service in others. Indeed, customer service is emerging as a key competitive advantage today, not only in the domestic marketplace, but also in the expanding international arena. In many industries, service is the product. The service sector accounts for 60 percent of our gross national product and provides some 70 percent of American jobs. Communications, transportation, utilities, banking, accounting, health care, and home maintenance are but a few examples of service industries indispensable to our way of life.

Whether the transaction involves goods, services, or both, quality of customer service is a crucial ingredient in the interaction between customer and business, before, during, and after the sale. Service quality is often the factor that distinguishes businesses from one another. This is the 7th year I have proclaimed National Consumers Week. I initiated National Consumers Week in 1982 to acknowledge and emphasize the significant stake consumers have in our economy. Our economy has three bases, the triad of capital, labor, and consumers; without any one of them the whole economy would lose its balance.

Over the past 7 years, I have watched National Consumers Week grow into an established, national event involving millions of Americans in all sectors of our economy. I am proud of the success National Consumers Week enjoys. In recognition of the importance of consumers to our economy, and of service to consumers and business, “Consumers Buy Service” is the theme I have selected for National Consumers Week, 1988. 102 STAT. 4953 NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, 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 the week beginning April 24, 1988, as National Consumers Week.

I urge consumers, businesses, educators, community organizations, labor unions, the media, and government officials to identify, emphasize, and promote activities during National Consumers Week that draw attention to the importance of service in consumers’ purchasing decisions. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth.

RONALD REAGAN 5766 February 2, 1988 Small Business Week, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5766 of February 2, 1988 Small Business Week, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation More than 17 million Americans own a small business; and the rest of us benefit from their ingenuity, enterprise, and hard work. These entrepreneurs employ half of all Americans in the work force. These achievements and the American heritage of economic liberty that helps make them possible are truly fitting reasons for each of us to join in observance of Small Business Week.

Today, small businesses provide well over two-thirds of all new American jobs, as well as 40 percent of our aggregate national output; the bulk of new American products and technologies; and more than two-thirds of all first jobs. The majority of jobs held by younger, older, minority, and female employees are in small business. In the next quarter-century, fully three-fourths of all new jobs created in America will have their genesis in small business. The development of new enterprises depends on many factors, including the hopes, dreams, and hard work that have always characterized America’s entrepreneurs.

But it also depends on a climate hospitable to small business—a climate marked by a lack of government interference in the marketplace; low taxes; low interest rates; and the basic freedom to strive for and create progress, prosperity, and opportunity for ourselves and our fellow Americans. Government, the servant of the people, must make sure that it does not harm that climate, which is so necessary to our Nation’s well-being and future. The small business men and women of our land truly follow a great heritage and foster good for America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, 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 the week of May 8 through May 14, 1988, as Small Business Week, and I urge all Americans to join with me in saluting our small business men and 102 STAT. 4954women by observing that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth.

RONALD REAGAN 5767 February 3, 1988 National Day of Prayer, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5767 of February 3, 1988 National Day of Prayer, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Americans in every generation have turned to their Maker in prayer. In adoration and in thanksgiving, in contrition and in supplication, we have acknowledged both our dependence on Almighty God and the help He offers us as individuals and as a Nation.

In every circumstance, whether peril or plenty, whether war or peace, whether gladness or mourning, we have searched for and sought God’s presence and His power. His blessings and His protection. His freedom and His peace, for ourselves, for our children, and for our beloved land. That was surely so at the very beginning of our Nation, in the earliest days of our quest for independence and liberty. It could only be thus, for a people who recognized God as the Author of freedom; who cherished the ancient but ever new words of Leviticus, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof and who cast those words where they would ring out forever, on the Liberty Bell; who affirmed along with Thomas Jefferson that the God Who gave us life gave us liberty as well.

So did they believe, those who gathered in Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia in 1774, the members of the First Continental Congress. They had come together, in times that tried men’s souls, to deliberate in the united interests of America and for our “civil and religious liberties.” John Adams later wrote his wife Abigail about what followed: “When Congress first met, Mr. Gushing made a motion that it should be opened with prayer.” Some delegates opposed the motion, citing differences in belief among the members; but Sam Adams, that bold lover of liberty and our country, arose to utter words of healing and unity.

“I can hear the prayer,” he said, of anyone “of piety and virtue who is . . . a friend to his country.” He went on to suggest that a clergyman of a persuasion other than his own open the First Continental Congress with prayer. And so it happened. Because Sam Adams gave voice to all the goodness, the genius, and the generosity that make up the American spirit, the First Continental Congress made its first act a prayer—the beginning of a great tradition. We have, then, a lesson from the Founders of om* land, those giants of soul and intellect whose courageous pledge of life and fortune and 102 STAT. 4955sacred honor, and whose “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,” have ever guided and inspired Americans and all who would fan freedom’s mighty flames and live in “freedom’s holy light.

” That lesson is clear—that in the winning of freedom and in the living of life, the first step is prayer. Let us join together, Americans all, throughout our land. Let us join together, in factories and farms, in homes and offices, in places of governance and places of worship, and in outposts everywhere that service men and women defend us. Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step—humble, heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings.

His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our Nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always. By joint resolution of the Congress approved April 17, 1952, the recognition of a particular day set aside each year as a National Day of Prayer has become a beloved national tradition. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 5, 1988, as a National Day of Prayer. I call upon the citizens of our great Nation to gather together on that day in homes and places of worship to pray, each after his or her own manner, for unity in the hearts of all mankind.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5768 February 4, 1988 National Tourism Week, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5768 of February 4, 1988 National Tourism Week, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Every year, millions of Americans and visitors from abroad travel throughout our country to see for themselves the beauty of our land, the hospitality of our people, and the record of our history.

They discover the glory and story of America, the evidence and the experience of all the hard-won freedom, justice, and opportunity we and our ancestors have cherished and preserved. National Tourism Week fittingly celebrates tourists, travelers, and those who earn their livelihood by serving them. Travel and tourism offer countless benefits for Americans and for our guests from other lands, including domestic friendship and international goodwill, enhanced communication and cooperation, and the chance to view and visit natural wonders of limitless variety, city and countryside, and outstanding cultural events.

Our comprehensive services and accommodations make U.S. travel and tourism the first choice of world travelers and the world’s best buy for the travel dollar. 102 STAT. 4956 The travel and tourism industry, once small, is now our third-largest retail trade and second-largest employer. The travel industry directly or indirectly supports nearly seven million jobs and generates some $292 billion in receipts, or 6.4 percent of our gross national product. Internationally, tourism now is the largest business export among America’s service industries; it contributes more than $19 billion annually to our balance of trade.

National Tourism Week reminds us not only of the economic, educational, and recreational benefits of travel and tourism but also of the warm and wide welcome that Americans traditionally and gladly offer to neighbors from near and far. The Congress, by Public Law 100–214, has designated the week beginning the third Sunday in May 1988 as “National Tourism Week” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning May 15, 1988, as National Tourism Week.

I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5769 February 4, 1988 National Women in Sports Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5769 of February 4, 1988 National Women in Sports Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The many achievements of American women in sports at home and abroad are sources of pride and inspiration for all of us.

Whether on high school playing fields across our land or in Olympic arenas, female athletes time and again display qualities Americans cherish—not only great ability but also greatness in spirit, courage, and skill. Reflection on this record of accomplishment reminds us of the many benefits of women’s and girls’ sports and of the importance of physical fitness for people of all ages and abilities. True physical fitness helps us do our best in life, as well as in sports and physical activities at any level.

Women’s sports and fitness activities also help develop leadership skills that can carry over into many other areas. Opportunities for female athletes of every background can truly touch the lives of many people for the better and enrich our country. The same is true for greater attention in schools and communities to physical fitness for girls; fitness research; and private, volunteer, and public sports programs. In recognition of the contributions of women’s sports to our country, and of the need for continuing advances in these sports, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 196, has designated February 4, 1988, as 102 STAT. 4957“National Women in Sports Day” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 4, 1988, as National Women in Sports Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5770 February 10, 1988 National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5770 of February 10, 1988 National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Motor vehicle crashes are a major cause of death and disabling injury for America’s children.

The best way to protect children in automobiles is to use child safety seats and other safety restraints on every trip. We must alert parents and concerned citizens of the critical need to make child passenger safety a priority in every community, and we should recognize the thousands of people throughout our Nation who do so as they take part in programs and activities in support of National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week. Fittingly, this special week falls just before Valentine’s Day, when we express love and appreciation to family and friends.

Many people may be unaware that child passenger protection laws requiring the use of child safety seats and belt systems are in place in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. Correctly used, child safety seats are highly effective, reducing the risk of fatality among children under four by about 70 percent and of serious injury by about 67 percent. For older children, studies of the effectiveness of belt systems indicate that they can reduce the risk of fatalities and serious injuries by 40 to 55 percent.

Effective child passenger protection requires awareness that the efficacy of child safety seats and belt systems depends on their correct installation and use. A nationwide effort is underway to boost correct child seat use to 70 percent or higher by 1990 through increasing public awareness and enforcement of child passenger protection laws and alerting parents about the importance of installing the restraints correctly and securing their children in them properly on every trip.

With added concern for the proper installation and consistent use of these safety devices, we can prevent tragedies and save the lives of hundreds of children every year. To encourage the people of the United States to protect their children properly in child safety seats and belt systems; to encourage safety and law enforcement agencies and others to promote greater use of these essential safety devices; and to inform the public about the serious 102 STAT. 4958dangers children can face as automobile passengers and the importance of child safety protection devices and their correct use, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 402, has designated the week of February 7–13, 1988, as “National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of February 7–13, 1988, as National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week. I ask all Americans to make sure that their children are fully protected by the correct use of child passenger protection devices. I call upon concerned citizens and government officials to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities in reaffirmation of our commitment to universal and correct use of child passenger protection devices.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5771 February 10, 1988 Save Your Vision Week, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5771 of February 10, 1988 Save Your Vision Week, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation To have healthier eyes, one needs the healthy attitude of caring for those eyes—and of recognizing how much they contribute to life, learning, independence, work, recreation, and the enjoyment of visual beauty.

Thanks to recent advances in the treatment and prevention of eye diseases, the possibility of keeping good vision for life is now excellent. Regular eye checkups are a must. With improved diagnostic techniques and new treatments, we can now stop many potentially blinding diseases even before they begin to affect vision. But many treatments can save vision only if problems are detected early, often before a person notices any symptoms. Ensuring a lifetime of healthy eyes begins at infancy.

Even an infant with healthy-looking eyes may have an unsuspected vision problem that only an eye specialist can detect. We now know that parts of the brain involved in vision cannot develop without early stimulation. If children are to see normally, congenital cataracts, lazy eye, or misaligned eyes must be treated early. Other eye diseases usually begin in middle age. For example, if glaucoma is detected before any vision is lost, an eye doctor can prescribe one of the new drugs that can check the disease’s impact.

The many eye diseases associated with aging need not be disabling. For instance, in cataracts, the cloudy lens can be surgically removed and an artificial lens implanted. In another age-related disease, leaky 102 STAT. 4959blood vessels develop in the back of the eye, often doing irreparable damage in only weeks or months. Laser treatment can usually stop the destruction and save the remaining vision. Laser treatment can also save the sight of some people who risk visual loss due to diabetes.

The earlier the intervention, the less the potential vision loss. To encourage our citizens to cherish and protect their sight, the Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 629, 36 U.S.C. 169a), has authorized and requested the President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as “Save Your Vision Week.” NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning March 6, 1988, as Save Your Vision Week.

I urge all Americans to participate in this observance by making eye care and eye safety an important part of their lives. I also invite eye care professionals, the communications media, and all public and private organizations committed to the goal of sight conservation to join in activities that will make Americans more aware of the steps they can take to protect their vision. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth.

RONALD REAGAN 5772 February 11, 1988 Lithuanian Independence Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5772 of February 11, 1988 Lithuanian Independence Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Seventy years ago, on February 16, 1918, the Lithuanian National Council declared the independence of Lithuania and established the Republic of Lithuania. This restoration of Lithuania’s sovereignty was recognized around the world—even by the Soviet Union, in 1920.

Lithuania joined the League of Nations in 1921, and for the next two decades Lithuanians enjoyed liberty and self-determination under a government that fostered political and religious freedom for all citizens. Then, in June 1940, the year after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union invaded and illegally occupied Lithuania and the other Baltic States. The United States unequivocally condemned this violation of national sovereignty and national integrity, and ever since then our policy has remained consistent.

We have never recognized the forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union, and we never will. Observance of the anniversary of Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence is natural for Americans, who faithfully celebrate our own Independence Day each year. America has long been a beacon of hope to Lithuania, because Americans cherish their self-determination, individual liberty, and independence—the God-given rights the Lithuanian 102 STAT. 4960 people seek to reclaim in the face of religious and political persecution, forced Russification, and ethnic dilution.

It is therefore fitting to show our solidarity with the people of Lithuania. We join in Lithuania’s proud and solemn remembrance of the 70th anniversary of its independence, and together with people the world over we share the spirit and the hope of the Lithuanian people as they commemorate that day. Among the Lithuanian people the spirit of liberty remains unbroken—the spirit of a true leader of her people, Nijole Sadunaite, whose sacrifices for country and conscience continue so courageously to the present day, and who wrote from the Gulag, “Our brief days on earth are not meant for rest, but to participate in the struggle for the happiness of numerous hearts”; the spirit of the freedom marchers of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, and of Kaunas; the spirit of every time and place where bold sons and daughters remember their heritage and their highest ideals.

To demonstrate our common commitment to the cause of freedom, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 39, has designated February 16, 1988, as “Lithuanian Independence Day” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 16, 1988, as Lithuanian Independence Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities in reaffirmation of their devotion to the just aspirations of all peoples for self-determination and liberty.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5773 February 17, 1988 National Visiting Nurse Associations Week, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5773 of February 17, 1988 National Visiting Nurse Associations Week, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For the last century, visiting nurse associations have sent skilled and dedicated nurses to care for homebound patients throughout our country.

Today, approximately 20,000 nurses in nearly 500 associations care each year for nearly a million Americans, adults and children alike. This tradition of caring service has provided indispensable help to countless people and has truly earned visiting nurses the gratitude and the esteem of their countrymen. Visiting nurse associations have won great professional respect as well for their adherence to the highest standards in offering personalized home health care. Visiting nurses often work under adverse conditions and at personal sacrifice, working long hours and traveling great dis-102 STAT. 4961tances to minister to the sick at home and to teach people sound health practices.

The contributions of visiting nurses also help community health services meet today’s demand for nursing. Patients released from acute care institutions, the chronically ill, and the physically and mentally handicapped all receive the many benefits of visiting nurses’ care and services. Many volunteers assist the work of visiting nurse associations, serving on boards of directors and offering every kind of support, from visiting patients to staffing offices to delivering meals on wheels.

The activities of visiting nurses and those who support their fine work deserve our praise, thanks, and encouragement, now and always. The Congress, by Public Law 100–246, has designated the period of February 21 through February 27, 1988, as “National Visiting Nurse Associations Week” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the period of February 21 through February 27, 1988, as National Visiting Nurse Associations Week.

I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities in support of America’s visiting nurses and their reverence and respect for the worth and the dignity of the patients for whom they care. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5774 March 4, 1988 Department of Commerce Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5774 of March 4, 1988 Department of Commerce Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation This year marks the 75th year of service to our Nation by the United States Department of Commerce; three-quarters of a century ago, on March 4, 1913, the Department was established in its current form.

Its mission of fostering, promoting, and developing the domestic and foreign commerce of the United States has ever since remained both vital and truly worthy of public recognition. Throughout this century the Department of Commerce has helped Presidents and the Congress develop policies to support our economic growth, our scientific and technological advancement and security, and our international trade. The Department provides business and government planners with critical data they need for intelligent decision-making, urges inventors and entrepreneurs to bring products to the marketplace, encourages firms to seek legitimate export opportunities, and makes sure that fair trade laws are enforced vigorously.

The De-102 STAT. 4962partment of Commerce also supplies oceanic information and formulates telecommunications and information policy. The employees of the Department of Commerce have always reflected the finest traditions of public service. That was surely true of the Department’s late Secretary, Malcolm Baldrige, and our present Secretary, C. William Verity, Jr. In recognition of the contributions of the Department of Commerce and the dedication of its officers and employees, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 251, has designated March 4, 1988, as “Department of Commerce Day” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 4, 1988, as Department of Commerce Day, and I urge the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5775 March 7, 1988 Women's History Month, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5775 of March 7, 1988 Women's History Month, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Women’s History Month is a time for us to recognize and salute women’s contributions to the American family and to society.

Women have been making these contributions since this continent was explored and settled and America won its independence. Women continue to strengthen the family and enrich our lives with intellectual gifts, creative talents, and an indomitable spirit—in business, government, volunteer activities, religious life, education, health, the military, sports, the arts, and many other areas. Historians will record the accomplishments of women at home as well, chronicling the tremendous contributions countless women have made by helping to raise children who adhere to the moral, ethical, civic, and patriotic principles that have made us, and kept us, a great country.

We should be proud and grateful as we celebrate Women’s History Month. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 262, has designated the month of March 1988 as “Women’s History Month” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW. THEREFORE, I. RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1988 as Women’s History Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 102 STAT. 4963 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth.

RONALD REAGAN 5776 March 16, 1988 Freedom of Information Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5776 of March 16, 1988 Freedom of Information Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Freedom of Information Day reminds us of some of our most important principles. “We the People,” as the framers of the Constitution called us in the Preamble, govern ourselves through representative government.

All of us, of course, have the right to do so. We are best able to do so when every citizen is informed on matters of public importance and can therefore take full part in civic affairs and in the exercise of fundamental rights. We can all be grateful indeed to the Founders who through the Constitution—including the Bill of Rights—provided for freedoms for all Americans that make a well-informed electorate possible. No one understood these principles more thoroughly than James Madison, our fourth President, whose birthday, March 16, is the occasion for Freedom of Information Day.

Long before he became President, he served as chief recorder of the Constitutional Convention; he was perhaps the most influential architect of our charter of liberty and limited government. Throughout life he championed conditions that could foster responsive government, such as a free press and a vigorous flow of information among the public, tempered with the recognition that for legitimate government to function, some matters must remain outside the public domain. He maintained this balance eloquently when he helped draft the Bill of Rights, and especially the First Amendment, while restricting access to most of the documents that form the Constitutional record.

Two centuries later, Madison’s ideals continue to strengthen our Nation. We Americans cherish our freedoms and use them; we thrive on the benefits of free exchanges with those who represent us in government and discharge the public trust. This interaction requires forthrightness in government and public access to most government information. Indeed, the responsible flow of such information to the public is entirely compatible with the necessary and proper protection of vital public interests such as national security, privacy, and effective law enforcement.

On the anniversary of President Madison’s birth, let us celebrate our history and heritage of freedom of information by remembering and revering the life and example of this wise and generous patriot and lover of liberty. 102 STAT. 4964 The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 126, has designated March 16, 1988, as “Freedom of Information Day” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 16, 1988, as Freedom of Information Day, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5777 March 18, 1988 National Agriculture Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5777 of March 18, 1988 National Agriculture Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As a Nation we are blessed deeply and in many ways.

The agriculture that sustains us is truly one of those blessings. We do well to give thanks for our bountiful crops. They are the yield of our fertile fields; of the skills and cooperation of countless Americans, including farmers, ranchers, scientists, farm organizations, commerce, and government; and, surely, of the liberty in which the American people are free to work, create, and produce for their mutual benefit. Some of the world’s best farmland is here in our country; roughly half of the land in the contiguous United States has a capacity for crop production.

Our bounty supplies needs both at home and abroad; today, one American farmer produces enough food and fiber for 114 people. Our agricultural production, processing, and marketing provide jobs, generate wealth, and strengthen our economy, our standard of living, and our position in world trade markets. Thanks to our agricultural efficiency, American consumers, on average, spend less of their income on food than do citizens of any other nation. As we give thanks for our rich harvests, let us be sure to express gratitude to all those in agriculture and its related endeavors who through the years have contributed so much to our Nation and the world and who continue to shape and to share the spirit and the heritage of the American people.

The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 265, has designated March 20, 1988, as “National Agriculture Day” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 20, 1988, as National Agriculture Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-102 STAT. 4965eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth.

RONALD REAGAN 5778 March 21, 1988 Afghanistan Day, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5778 of March 21, 1988 Afghanistan Day, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation March 21 marks the beginning of a new year in a bitter decade for the people of Afghanistan, This may well be a climactic year, and we hope with the Afghan people that it will see the complete withdrawal of Soviet troops and self-determination for the people of Afghanistan.

For more than 8 years, the courageous Afghans have suffered and died under the boot of the Soviet Army, which invaded to prop up an illegitimate, unrepresentative, and discredited regime. Let us take this occasion, therefore, to remember the sorrow and to salute the heroism of the Afghan people. They have fought valiantly and against heavy odds to free themselves from the yoke of oppression—from assaults on their liberty, their sovereignty, their dignity, their lives, and their very way of life.

It now appears possible that the tenacity and tremendous sacrifices of the Afghan people will bear fruit in the coming period. The Soviet leadership seems to have finally recognized that the will of the Afghan people to be free cannot be broken. Indications of Soviet willingness to withdraw are an important step forward, though their seriousness can be proven only by the actual, and total, removal of Soviet troops from Afghan soil. To be acceptable, Soviet withdrawal must be complete, irreversible, and verifiable.

Our objectives have been and remain: prompt and complete withdrawal of Soviet forces; restoration of Afghanistan to an independent, nonaligned status; self-determination for the Afghans; and return of refugees in safety and honor. I reiterated this commitment and our support for the brave Afghan Mujahidin in my meeting last November with Afghan Alliance leader Yunis Khalis. I said the same to General Secretary Gorbachev last December. The United States Government has also repeatedly told the Soviet leadership that any guarantees of noninterference that they and we would undertake must be symmetrical.

An agreement at Geneva must not serve as a pretext for continued Soviet military support to the discredited minority Kabul regime. Some 120 members of the United Nations have voted year after year for self-determination in Afghanistan, recognizing that the present government in Kabul does not represent the Afghan people but is a direct result of outside interference. The Mujahidin and the refugees are the true voice of the Afghan people. I am proud of the strong support provided the Afghan cause over the past 7 years by my Administration. by the United States Congress, and by the American people.

Our commitment to the freedom of the Afghan people will not end should the Soviets withdraw. We will join other 102 STAT. 4966 nations and international organizations to help the Afghans rebuild their country and their institutions; millions of men, women, and children will be returning to a country devastated by Soviet aggression. The United States has consistently supported the Afghans in their long ordeal. That support will continue. We will rejoice with them when true peace is achieved and Afghanistan once again takes it rightful place in the community of nations.

Let us pray and strive to make sure that this moment of liberation will come soon. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, 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 March 21, 1988, as Afghanistan Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. **Editorial note**:

For the President’s remarks of Mar. 21, 1988, on signing Proclamation 5778, see the *Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents* (vol. 24, p. 369). RONALD REAGAN 5779 March 23, 1988 Modifying the Implementation of the Generalized System of Preferences and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5779 of March 23, 1988 Modifying the Implementation of the Generalized System of Preferences and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation 1.

I have determined that, under section 802(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (the Act) (19 U.S.C. 2492(b)), as amended by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99–570, 100 Stat. 3207), during the previous year Panama has not cooperated fully with the United States, and has not taken adequate steps on its own, in preventing narcotic and psychotropic drugs and other controlled substances produced or processed, in whole or in part, in Panama or transported through Panama, from being sold illegally within the jurisdiction of Panama to United States Government personnel or their dependents or from being transported, directly or indirectly, into the United States, and in preventing and punishing the laundering in that country of drug-related profits or drug-related monies. 2.

Pursuant to section 802(a) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 2492(a)), I have decided to deny until further notice the preferential tariff treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences

(GSP)and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) now being afforded to articles that are currently eligible for such treatment and that are imported from Panama. 102 STAT. 4967 3. Section 604 of the Act (19 U.S.C. 2483) confers authority upon the President to embody in the Tariff Schedules of the United States

(TSUS)[19 U.S.C. 1202) the relevant provisions of that Act, of other acts affecting import treatment, and of actions taken thereunder. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States of America, including but not limited to sections 604 and 802 of the Act, do proclaim that:

(1)General headnote 3(e)(v)(A) to the TSUS is modified by striking out “Panama” from the enumeration of independent countries whose products are eligible for benefits under the GSP.

(2)General headnote 3(e)(vii)(A) to the TSUS is modified by striking out “Panama” from the enumeration of designated beneficiary countries whose products are eligible for preferential treatment under the CBERA.

(3)No article the product of Panama and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, into the United States on or after the effective date of this Proclamation shall be eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the GSP or under the CBERA.

(4)This Proclamation shall be effective with respect to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the fifteenth day following the date of the publication of this Proclamation in the **Federal Register**. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5780 March 25, 1988 Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5780 of March 25, 1988 Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The United States and Greece are old allies and friends. Our nations and peoples are bound by interests, kinship, values, and a record of common achievement. Ancient Greek ideals of freedom fueled our own struggle for independence, and American friends supported Greece’s effort to forge a modern nation in 1821. Over the years, millions of Americans of Greek ancestry have enriched and strengthened the United States. In this century, Americans and Greeks fought and died together in three wars. The Truman Doctrine, which helped Greeks preserve their independence and launch Greece toward prosperity, is a proud achievement of American foreign policy. Today, Greece and the United States are partners in the NATO alli- 102 STAT. 4968 ance, which has kept the peace and preserved freedom for nearly 40 years. The democracy we so cherish began in Greece millennia ago. The grandeur the ancient Greeks left has endowed modern Americans and modern Greeks with democracy’s promise of liberty. Today, the world is still inspired by the eternal values and aspirations for which modern Greeks reached when they began their quest for independence on March 25, 1821. Saluting our common fealty to democracy and its defense, and recognizing the bonds between the United States and Greece, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 218, has designated March 25, 1988, as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 25, 1988, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, and I urge all Americans to join in appropriate ceremonies and activities to salute the Greek people and Greek independence. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5781 March 28, 1988 Cancer Control Month, 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 5781 of March 28, 1988 Cancer Control Month, 1988 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation In the continuing struggle against cancer, Americans have put their trust in research; today we can affirm that the public trust has been rewarded. Just a few years ago, the cancer cell was seen as a deadly, unsolvable mystery. The mystery is still complex, but today it is considered solvable. We now know a good deal about what the cancer cell does and how it does it. We have begun to see cancer not as a random event, but as an error in the normal process of growth and development. Researchers have found minute but critical differences in the genes of normal and cancer cells. They have identified and isolated oncogenes, which play a role in changing normal, healthy cells to cancer. And, with every passing day, scientists come closer to understanding how and when oncogenes “turn on” and transform cells. In time, our knowledge of how oncogenes work may help cure many patients, improve the quality of life for others, stave off recurrences for still others, and enable us to prevent cancer before it starts. New knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment has improved the outlook for cutting the cancer death rate. With regard to prevention, 102 STAT. 4969 we now know that type of diet, exposure to the sun, and use of tobacco can trigger events in the cell that cause up to 80 percent of all cancers. We can reduce our risk of cancer if we take a few sensible steps. Adding fiber and reducing fat in our diet can significantly cut cancer incidence and mortality; we should choose more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals and cut down on fatty meat, eggs, dairy products, and oils in cooking and salads. Researchers have shown that overexposure to the sun’s rays causes skin cancer; they advise us all to wear protective clothing and to use sunscreens to reduce the risk of this illness. The biggest culprit—responsible for 30 percent of all cancer deaths—is smoking and other tobacco use. The scientific evidence linking cigarette smoking to cancers of the lung and mouth is undeniable. Smoking also contributes to cancers of the bladder, pancreas, and kidney. The message is clear: stop smoking or, better yet, don’t start. The U.S. Public Health Service has found that when people are warned about health hazards, they tend to change their habits for the better. More and more of our citizens want information to help protect their health. Of course, the ideal solution is not to let cancer happen; by modifying the way we live, we can greatly reduce our chances of developing this disease. This year, the American Cancer Society celebrates its 75th anniversary. The work of the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and other organizations devoted to cancer research and control has made a difference. Only a few years ago, it was hard to imagine the tremendous progress we see today. Survival rates have improved for 7 of the 10 major forms of cancer; more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with cancer are alive in 1988. Early detection continues to improve the chances of successful treatment; some 385,000 Americans diagnosed with cancer in 1988 will be alive 5 years from now. Once deadly forms of cancer are now yielding to combined treatments of surgery, radiation, drugs, and new biological agents, such as interleukin-2. A diagnosis of breast cancer no longer requires an inevitable mastectomy. Children with leukemia are being treated successfully and living to become productive adults. In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution (52 Stat. 148; 38 U.S.C. 150) requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April to be “Cancer Control Month.” NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of April 1988 as Cancer Control Month. I invite the Governors of the fifty States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all other areas under the United States flag, to issue similar proclamations. I also ask the health care professionals, communications industry, food industry, community groups, and all other interested organizations and individual citizens to unite during this month to reaffirm publicly our Nation’s continuing commitment to control cancer. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twelfth. RONALD REAGAN 5782 March 29, 1988 Education Day, U.S.A., 1988 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

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