Proclamation 7168.
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113 STAT. 2053 Proclamation 7168 of February 25, 1999 American Red Cross Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For almost 120 years, the American Red Cross has served as a beacon of hope to those in need. Reaching out to victims of disaster, generations of Red Cross volunteers have provided shelter, food, and other essential services to relieve the sufferings of families and communities and help people begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
Today more than a million dedicated men and women volunteer under the banner of the American Red Cross, upholding this extraordinary tradition of service and assisting people across our Nation and around the world to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The strength and scope of the natural disasters that occurred during 1998 made this past year among the most devastating in recent history. Floods, tornadoes, winter storms, and wildfires ravaged communities across the Nation.
Hurricanes Georges and Mitch caused record destruction in the Gulf States and Central America. In total, the American Red Cross responded to more than 62,000 disasters in 1998. Whether it was a fire that destroyed a family's home or a hurricane that destroyed an entire region, the Red Cross reacted immediately with compassion, generosity, and humanity. Yet the Red Cross does more than cope with emergencies. During the past year, volunteers collected and processed nearly six million units of lifesaving blood for our Nation’s hospitals and educated more than 11 million Americans through health and safety courses.
The Red Cross also reached out to the men and women of our Armed Forces, their families, and our veterans, helping our military personnel keep in touch with home during family emergencies, offering confidential counseling and other support services, and assisting veterans in obtaining their benefits. In the past year alone, the American Red Cross provided more than 840,000 individual services to those who have given so much to protect our Nation and preserve our freedom. During American Red Cross Month, as we take time to recognize this vital organization and all that it has accomplished, we can and should look forward with hope to the new century.
For while we can never know the challenges we may face in the future, whether as individuals or as a national community, we do know that the American Red Cross will continue to serve, enabling us to meet those challenges and to recover from disaster. As Americans, let us sustain our long-standing support of the Red Cross and its humanitarian mission and renew our commitment to the ideals upon which it was founded. By reaching out with compassion and caring to help those in need, we can ensure a brighter future for our Nation and our world in the new millennium.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 1999 as American Red Cross Month. I urge all the people of the United States to show support for their local Red Cross chapters and to become active participants in advancing the noble mission of the Red Cross. 113 STAT. 2054 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7169 March 1, 1999 Irish-American Heritage Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7169 of March 1, 1999 Irish-American Heritage Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation During the month of March each year, as millions of Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we remember with special pride our Irish heritage. We remember our ancestors who stood on Ireland’s western shores, yearning for the promise of America.
Fleeing famine and injustice, they longed for a new world of opportunities. Millions of these courageous men and women set sail from Ireland, leaving behind all that they had ever known to seek the promise of America. They gave to their new homeland their strength and spirit, sinew and determination, eloquence and wit. In return, America offered them the opportunity for a better life, the chance to rise above poverty and discrimination, and a future where they could live out their dreams.
The Irish who came to America endured many hardships, but they prospered and helped to build our country with innumerable physical and intellectual contributions. They gave us Presidents like Woodrow Wilson, John Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan; patriots like John Barry and Stephen Moylan, who fought fiercely for American independence in the Revolutionary War; jurists like Justice William Brennan, who championed justice and equality; suffragists and social reformers like Maria McCreery; journalists, peacekeepers, artists, playwrights, labor leaders, and educators.
These and so many other Irish Americans seized the opportunity of freedom America promised. From their grand literary tradition to their deep religious faith, Irish Americans and their descendants have enriched every facet of American history. But Irish-American Heritage Month is a time to look to the future as well as to the past. Today we rejoice at the promise of peace in Northern Ireland and the resolve of her people to approach their differences not with weapons, but with words.
While the path to peace is rarely easy, it is by necessity a community effort. Americans are a vital part of the process in Northern Ireland by virtue of our shared heritage and shared goal of lasting peace and a better future for all God’s children. By lending our hearts, minds, and prayers to the work of peace, we can best fulfill our obligation to the generations of Irish men and women who have given so much to our Nation’s life and history. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 1999 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
I call upon all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities. 113 STAT. 2055 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7170 March 1, 1999 Women’s History Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7170 of March 1, 1999 Women’s History Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation A little more than a century ago, an editorial in the *Pittsburgh Dispatch* opposing women’s suffrage and criticizing women in the work force so infuriated a young reader that she wrote a letter in protest.
Her articulate response prompted the newspaper’s editor to offer her a job, and thus Elizabeth Cochrane—later known as Nellie Bly—began her career in journalism. A pioneer of investigative reporting, she exposed the brutal conditions in the care of the mentally ill, reported on poor working conditions in factories, and wrote of the indignities suffered by women in prison. This year, as we reflect on America’s past in preparation for our celebration of the new millennium, we recognize that the talent, energy, intellect, and determination of countless women like Nellie Bly have shaped our destiny and enriched our society since our earliest days as a Nation.
From the women who organized the East India Company tea boycotts before the Boston Tea Party to Deborah Sampson, who fought as a soldier in the Revolutionary War; from Angelina and Sarah Grimke, who spoke out against slavery to Harriet Tubman, who risked her life as a conductor on the Underground Railroad; from suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt to sharecropper Fannie Lou Hamer, who faced violence and endured intimidation to become a leader of the Civil Rights movement; from environmentalist Rachel Carson, who changed our way of looking at the world, to physicist Chien-Shiung Wu, who changed our way of looking at the universe, women’s history is truly America’s history.
That is why I was pleased to establish in July of last year the President’s Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History, whose recommendations will help us to better understand and rejoice to appreciate the role and accomplishments of women. During Women’s History Month, we honor the generations of women who have served our Nation as doctors and scientists, teachers and factory workers, soldiers and secretaries, athletes and mothers. We honor the women who have worked the land, cared for children and the elderly, nurtured families and businesses, served in charitable organizations and public office.
And we remember the good friends we have so recently lost—women such as Bella Abzug, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Florence Griffith-Joyner—whose achievements and example continue to light our lives. But we must do more than remember. We must build on the legacy of the millions of women, whether renowned or anonymous, who have contributed so much to the strength and character of our Nation. We 113 STAT. 2056must ensure that women have equal access to the education and opportunities they need to excel.
We must guarantee that women receive equal pay in the workplace. We must promote policies and programs—including affordable, high-quality child care—that enable working women to succeed both on the job and in their homes. And we must work to ensure that women have the comfort of knowing they can retire in security. Women who have gone before us accomplished so much, often in the face of hardship and discrimination; we can only imagine what women will accomplish in the future if we break down the remaining barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 1999 as Women’s History Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to remember throughout the year the many heroic women whose many and varied contributions have enriched our lives. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CUNTON 7171 March 1, 1999 Save Your Vision Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7171 of March 1, 1999 Save Your Vision Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Vision is an extraordinary blessing—one that should be cherished and protected. Complex and remarkable organs, the eyes work in concert with the brain to produce vision, allowing us to experience the beauty and variety of the physical world around us.
Because blindness and vision loss are often avoidable, the maintenance of good vision must be a top health priority and an integral part of every American’s overall health care routine. Preventative eye care is particularly important because there are often no warning signs or pain associated with many eye diseases, and, by the time vision loss is identified, it is frequently too late to undo the damage. Periodic dilated pupil eye examinations can reveal the early signs of eye disease and buy precious time for treatment.
It is equally important to protect our eyes from injury, another leading cause of vision loss. Each year, more than 2.4 million eye injuries occur in the United States. By using protective eyewear when working with machinery or chemicals, playing sports, or engaging in other recreational activities, we can help prevent irreparable loss of sight. Taking measures to prevent vision loss in our children is especially important because their early development and academic achievement can suffer due to vision problems or diseases.
Even before they begin 113 STAT. 2057school, children should undergo a complete eye examination so that poor vision or eye disorders can be appropriately treated. As the 21st century fast approaches, our national investment in research to prevent, postpone, and treat eye diseases and disorders has produced substantial results. Laser technology, new medications, gene mapping, innovations in diagnostic techniques, and other sight-saving discoveries are improving the lives of millions of Americans.
These advances in medical research, combined with preventative eye care and increased safety measures, can all work to preserve our gift of sight. To remind our citizens of the importance of safeguarding their eyesight, the Congress, by join 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, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 7 through March 13, 1999, as Save Your Vision Week.
I urge all Americans to participate by making eye care and eye safety an important part of their lives and to ensure that dilated eye examinations are included in their regular health maintenance programs. I invite eye care professionals, the media, and all public and private organizations dedicated to preserving eyesight to join in activities that will raise awareness of the measures we can take to protect and sustain our vision. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7172 March 4, 1999 Death of Harry A. Blackmun By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7172 of March 4, 1999 Death of Harry A. Blackmun By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As a mark of respect for the memory of Harry A. Blackmun, retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on the day of his interment.
On such day the flag shall be flown at half-staff until sunset upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions; and at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, 113 STAT. 2058and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7173 March 11, 1999 National Older Workers Employment Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7173 of March 11, 1999 National Older Workers Employment Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation One of our Nation’s most valuable but least appreciated assets is its workers aged 55 and older. Older Americans bring to the workplace sound judgment, broad knowledge and experience, proven problem-solving abilities, and a strong work ethic.
Despite their often impressive qualifications, however, older men and women who attempt to change jobs or seek new careers frequently encounter difficulties. Some employers mistakenly fear that older workers lack the skills and flexibility to learn new technologies and procedures; others think that they no longer have the energy and motivation to compete in today’s fast–paced and stressful work environment; still others are unwilling to pay older workers the salaries they deserve and prefer instead to hire younger, less experienced employees at lower rates.
Such employers are short–sighted. Americans are living longer, healthier, more active lives. In the next century, as our economy continues to expand and the demand for skilled workers continues to grow, older citizens will become an increasingly vital resource. If our Nation is to thrive in the 21st century, we must encourage businesses to recognize the rich potential of older workers, to make the most of their knowledge, skills, and experience, and to retain qualified older employees in the workforce.
We must also remain vigilant in protecting the rights and well–being of older Americans. Laws such as the Age Discrimination Act, the Older Americans Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act protect older workers from age bias and discrimination and help assure their fair treatment in the workplace. In addition, the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services, through such efforts as the Senior Community Service Employment Program and the programs of the Administration on Aging, assist older workers who give their time and energy to contribute to our Nation’s economy.
As we observe this special week, let us remember with appreciation the many invaluable contributions older workers make to our country’s progress and prosperity, and let us resolve to give older Americans an equal opportunity to participate in the workplace. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 14 through March 20, 1999, as National Older Workers Employment Week.
I urge employers across the Nation to recognize the energy and ability of older workers, and I encourage public officials responsible for job placement, training, and related services to intensify their efforts throughout the year to help older workers find suitable jobs and training. 113 STAT. 2059 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety–nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty–third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7174 March 19, 1999 National Poison Prevention Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7174 of March 19, 1999 National Poison Prevention Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation During National Poison Prevention Week, Americans focus on the progress we have made in reducing the number of accidental poisonings that occur each year and reaffirm our commitment to preventing further tragedies.
We can be heartened by the progress we have made. In 1962, when President Kennedy proclaimed the first National Poison Prevention Week, 450 young people died due to poisoning. That number has fallen dramatically. There are many who share the credit for this growing success story: responsible parents and caregivers, who keep medicines, cosmetics, household cleaners, insecticides, and other poisonous substances out of the reach of children; the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which requires the use of child-resistant packaging on potentially dangerous materials; the Poison Prevention Week Council, which annually distributes poison prevention information to pharmacies, public health departments, and safety organizations; and our Nation's poison control centers, which provide lifesaving emergency first aid information.
Working together, these dedicated individuals and organizations have saved hundreds of lives each year. But we cannot relax our efforts, because each life we lose to accidental poisoning is one too many. We must all do our part to protect our Nation’s children by selecting and properly using child-resistant packaging, keeping poisonous substances accurately labeled and locked away from children, carefully reading and following all directions and caution labels on packages, and keeping the number of a poison control center close to the telephone.
If a poisoning incident does occur, we need to respond quickly by contacting the poison control center, relaying the appropriate information—such as the age and weight of the poisoning victim and the type and amount of substance he or she has ingested—and heeding instructions. These simple safety measures can mean the difference between life and death. To encourage the American people to learn more about the dangers of accidental poisonings and to take responsible preventive measures, the Congress, by joint resolution approved September 26, 1961 (75 Stat.681), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week of March of each year as “National Poison Prevention Week.
” NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning March 21, 1999, as National Poison Prevention Week. I call upon all Americans 113 STAT. 2060to observe this week by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities and by learning how to protect our children from poisons. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7175 March 24, 1999 Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7175 of March 24, 1999 Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America has deep roots in Greece, and today we celebrate the friendship, values, and aspirations our two countries have shared for more than 2 centuries.
Greek thought and the passion for truth and justice deeply influenced many of our Nation’s earliest and greatest leaders. The documents our founders wrote to establish our democracy and the political and legal institutions they created to preserve our independence and protect our rights reveal that influence. Later, recognizing this profound debt to Greek thought and culture and inspired by the struggle of modern Greece in the War of Greek Independence, many Americans left home to join in that distant fight for freedom between 1821 and 1832.
In this century, the relationship between the Greek and American peoples deepened as we fought together in two world wars. The U.S. desire to help preserve freedom in Greece after the devastation of World War II moved President Truman to stand firm against isolationism and for postwar engagement abroad. Our nations stood together in Korea and in the Gulf War, and we continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder today in our efforts to find a lasting solution in the Balkans and to promote democracy around the world.
The bonds of family have further reinforced our ties of friendship and shared ideals. All across our Nation, Americans of Greek descent have brought their energy, grace, and determination to every field of endeavor, and they have added immeasurably to the richness and diversity of our national life. The sons and daughters of Greece have flourished in America, and with their help, America too has flourished. Today, as we celebrate the 178th anniversary of the onset of modern Greece’s struggle for independence, let us celebrate as well the great partnership between our nations and the precious heritage of freedom and democracy we share.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 25, 1999, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. 113 STAT. 2061 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7176 March 25, 1999 Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7176 of March 25, 1999 Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Our Nation was founded at a time of extraordinary change, as the world began to move from an agrarian to an industrial economy. Today, as we approach the 21st century, exciting innovations in science and technology are revolutionizing our society, and once again Americans must adapt to the demands of a new era.
Beckoning us with exciting new challenges and far-reaching opportunities, our future depends as never before on our Nation’s commitment to excellence in education. Americans have met the dynamic changes in our society not only through education but also by finding strength in our shared goals and values. And, as we prepare for the challenges of a new millennium, these time-honored principles must remain an important part of our children’s education. Far more than the accumulation of facts and figures, a well-rounded education that will serve our children throughout their lives must also include the wisdom and insights of past generations.
Family members, teachers, administrators, and neighbors should share their experiences and ideals with young people to help them develop into mature, confident, and responsible adults. An esteemed scholar and inspired religious leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, devoted his life to empowering young people through education. His belief in the importance of intellectual and spiritual enlightenment led him to establish more than 2,000 educational and social institutions around the world.
Promoting faith, family, and community, his work enriched our society and helped to lay the foundation for our continued progress. On this day and throughout the year, let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of education and sharing that were championed by Rabbi Schneerson and are embraced by compassionate leaders across our country. As our society continues to change and evolve, let us work with keen minds and warm hearts to forge a future of peace and prosperity for all our children.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 28, 1999, as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. I invite Government officials, educators, volunteers, and all of the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate activities, programs, and ceremonies. 113 STAT. 2062 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7177 April 1, 1999 Cancer Control Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7177 of April 1, 1999 Cancer Control Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Each year for more than half a century, our Nation has dedicated the month of April to reaffirming our commitment to developing more effective prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer and to recognizing the progress that we have made in fighting this devastating disease.
Today we are reaping the rewards of our long-standing efforts to combat cancer as researchers make remarkable progress virtually every day. Over the past several years, for example, scientists have identified genes involved in a number of cancers, including cancers of the breast, prostate, kidney, skin, and colon. In the first year of the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), researchers succeeded in identifying more than 300,000 DNA sequences and 12,000 new genes—double the initial expectation.
The newly created Cancer Genetics Network will help scientists answer the many clinical questions raised by these discoveries. This national network will link participating cancer research centers and strengthen their efforts not only to identify genes that predispose people to cancer, but also to learn better methods for counseling, testing, and monitoring people for cancer susceptibility. These and other recent advances are providing Americans with our most powerful weapons to defeat cancer: early detection and immediate treatment.
Recognizing the great promise such findings hold for our battle against cancer, my Administration has dedicated unprecedented Federal resources toward cancer research. The omnibus appropriations bill I signed this past October increased funding for the NCI by $400 million. This increase—the single largest increase in funding for cancer and medical research in history—sets the NCI budget at nearly $3 billion, enabling it to fund critical new research, including 10 new clinical trials for breast cancer treatment.
Last year we saw one of the most significant advances to date in cancer prevention research with the discoveries from the landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. This study, a national clinical trial sponsored by the NCI, found that the incidence of breast cancer fell by 49 percent among women taking the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen. Based upon this finding, last October, the Food and Drug Administration approved tamoxifen for preventative use by women at risk for breast cancer.
Through the Department of Defense, we are also awarding $60 million in grants for prostate cancer research. These grants are funding innovative new studies to determine the causes of prostate cancer, develop 113 STAT. 2063new methods of prevention and detection, and discover groundbreaking new treatments to save lives. In addition, we have worked to accelerate the approval process for new cancer drugs to ensure that cancer patients have access to the latest and most effective treatments, all while maintaining the highest of safety standards.
Although these and other recent advances are encouraging, we must not be complacent. The occurrence of cancer is still too common, and the suffering it causes is incalculable. As we stand on the threshold of a new millennium, let us draw strength from the successes of the past and reaffirm our determination to treat, prevent, and ultimately eradicate cancer. In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 150) requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April to be “Cancer Control Month.
” NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 1999 as Cancer Control Month. I invite the Governors of the 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the appropriate officials of all other areas under the American flag to issue similar proclamations. I also ask health care professionals, private industry, community groups, insurance and managed care companies, and all other interested organizations and individuals to unite in renewing our Nation’s commitment to controlling cancer.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7178 April 1, 1999 National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7178 of April 1, 1999 National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Children bring happiness to our lives and hope to our future; they are our greatest joy and our most important responsibility.
Whether as loving parents or concerned citizens, we must do everything we can to nurture them, protect them, raise them in an atmosphere of love and respect, and create for them an environment in which they can grow into healthy, well-adjusted, and productive adults. Tragically, however, statistics confirm that not all of America’s children enjoy the benefits of a safe, loving home. Instead, hundreds of thousands of children each year suffer abuse and neglect, most often at the hands of their own parents or other family members.
The horrors of physical or emotional trauma deny these young people their childhood, and our abused children carry the psychological scars of their mistreatment throughout their lives. Worse yet, for some—particularly those under 3 years old—the abuse they endure is fatal.113 STAT. 2064 My Administration is committed to promoting effective policies and innovative programs to protect children from harm and to mitigate the stresses on families that can ignite violence in the home.
We have implemented a comprehensive agenda that includes increased funding at the State level to ensure that maternal and child health programs are expanded to include child protection, family preservation, and support; we have released prevention grants for community-based family services in all 50 States; and we have worked with the Congress to pass the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, and the National Child Protection Act of 1993, all of which support child abuse prevention efforts in State and local jurisdictions.
Yet government programs alone cannot prevent child abuse. As a society that cares about the health and well-being of our children, we must forge caring, cooperative alliances that include government as a partner, but also involve schools, community organizations, businesses, religious groups, and especially parents and family members themselves—indeed, everyone who has a stake in the future of American families. During this special month, as we focus our Nation’s attention on the disturbing problem of child abuse, let us remember that behind every heartbreaking statistic is a child whose health, happiness, and future depend on our ability to recognize the signs of abuse and our refusal to tolerate abuse in our homes and communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 April 1999 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by demonstrating our gratitude to those who work to keep our children safe, and by taking action in our own communities to make them healthier places in which children can grow and thrive.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7179 April 7, 1999 National Equal Pay Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7179 of April 7, 1999 National Equal Pay Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation We live in a time of remarkable promise.
Our Nation’s economy is the strongest we have experienced in a generation, creating more than 18 million new jobs since 1993 and the fastest growth in real wages in more than two decades. American women have contributed greatly to this record of success; unfortunately, they have not enjoyed an equal share in the prosperity they have helped to create. The typical woman who works full-time year-round earns approximately 75 cents for every dollar the typical man earns. An African113 STAT. 2065 American woman earns just 65 cents and a Hispanic woman earns 55 cents for each dollar that a white man earns.
In the course of a week, this pay gap can mean one less bag of groceries, skipping a trip to the doctor, missing a rent payment, or not being able to pay for day care. Over the course of a working lifetime, it can mean thousands of dollars, a smaller pension, and fewer savings to provide for a comfortable retirement. And when a working woman is denied equal pay, it doesn’t just hurt her; it also hurts her family. In more than 10 million American households today, the mother is the only breadwinner.
Americans have always believed in justice and equality. We have always believed that those who work hard should be able to provide a decent living for themselves and their children. If we are to live up to those ideals, we must ensure that women do not suffer wage discrimination. We must continue vigorous enforcement of existing laws, such as the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, so that no employer undervalues or underpays the work performed by women. To strengthen Department of Labor and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission efforts to end wage discrimination and expand opportunities in the workplace for women, my Administration has included a $14 million Equal Pay Initiative in my proposed balanced budget for fiscal year 2000.
This initiative will provide more resources to identify wage discrimination, to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities, and to bring more women into better-paying jobs. We will also work with the Congress to pass the proposed Paycheck Fairness Act—legislation designed to strengthen laws that prohibit wage discrimination. As we observe National Equal Pay Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to justice and equality in the workplace, and let us build a Nation for the 21st century where the talents, efforts, and hard work of American women will be rightly appreciated and fairly rewarded.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 8, 1999, as National Equal Pay Day. I call upon Government officials, law enforcement agencies, business leaders, educators, and the American people to recognize the full value of the skills and contributions of women in the labor force. I urge all employers to review their wage practices and to ensure that all their employees are paid equitably for their work.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7180 April 8, 1999 National D.A.R.E. Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
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- 36 USC 169a
- 36 USC 150
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