Proclamation 4141.

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86 Stat. 1651 PROCLAMATION 4141 White Cane Safety Day, 1972June 30, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For the more than one million Americans with severe visual disability, mobility is one of life’s most basic and pressing problems. Even moving about in a familiar room is a complex task for someone who cannot see. How much greater is the job of navigating unfamiliar and hazardous city streets. Although there are a number of aids which sightless people can use to help them move about, none is so simple, yet so helpful, as the white cane.

It enables a sightless person to move about easily, skillfully, and, most important, independently. Not only does the white cane liberate the body, it strengthens the spirit of its user, instilling confidence and self-respect. It transforms blindness from a tragedy to a handicap which can be overcome. By permitting mobility, the white cane may enable a blind person to hold a steady job without depending on others for transportation. It allows him to shop, to enjoy leisure time, and to visit with neighbors and friends.

The white cane user wants neither charity nor pity from the rest of us. He does expect a safe passage as he walks down and across the street. And he deserves understanding, cooperation, and courtesy, particularly from motor vehicle drivers and bicycle riders. Taking an extra moment to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian with a white cane may cost the driver a second or two, but failing to do so could cost a sightless walker his life. We all must learn to recognize the white cane and take the necessary action to assure the safety of its user.

To make all Americans more fully aware of the significance of the white cane and the need for extra care and courtesy when approaching its user, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 6, 1964 (78 Stat. 1003), has authorized the President to proclaim October 15[36 USC 169d](/us/usc/t36/s169d). of each year as White Cane Safety Day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 15, 1972, as White Cane Safety Day. 86 Stat. 1652 I urge all Americans to mark this occasion by greater consideration for the special needs of the visually handicapped, and particularly by learning to heed the white cane in order that our traffic-filled streets may become safer for all, sighted and sightless alike.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-sixth. 4142 July 13, 1972 National Voter Registration Month Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4142 National Voter Registration MonthJuly 13, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As we continually work to construct a better and better Nation, America has no need of sidewalk superintendents.

And any person who is qualified to vote, but who does not register to vote, can be little more than a sidewalk superintendent standing apart from the vital project of building national progress in the challenging era of the 1970s. In recent years, Federal and State governments have taken historic actions to extend the voting privilege to more and more of our citizens, including those between 18 and 21 years of age. All of these efforts to broaden the base of the American constituency—in order to insure continuing national political vitality and accurate representation—will have been in vain, however, if the newly eligible voters do not activate their newly won voting rights by registering according to the laws of the States.

There is no place for apathy in an America facing the momentous challenges and opportunities of the era of the 1970s. The Nation needs the talents and the energies of each and every citizen, and it needs all their votes on election day. I am convinced that nationwide, non-partisan voter registration campaigns could substantially reduce the number of qualified citizens who 86 Stat. 1653will be barred from voting in the forthcoming general elections by reason of failure to comply with election registration laws.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September, 1972, as National Voter Registration Month, and I urge the Governors, and election officials of the several States, together with other officials, candidates for public office, and political parties and organizations, to institute non-partisan campaigns designed to achieve the registration of as many qualified citizens as possible prior to the forthcoming elections. I also urge all interested citizens and all civic and educational organizations to participate in voter registration campaigns and to take all appropriate steps to assure maximum registration of qualified voters.

Finally, I urge our newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals, our television and radio stations and networks, and all other news media to publicize and promote voter registration drives and the importance of voter registration. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4143 July 15, 1972 Captive Nations Week, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4143 Captive Nations Week, 1972July 15, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The cause of human rights and personal dignity remains a universal aspiration.

Yet, in much of the world, the struggle for freedom and independence continues. It is appropriate, therefore, that we who value our own precious heritage should manifest our sympathy and understanding for those to whom these benefits are denied. The Eighty-Sixth Congress on July 17, 1959, by a joint resolution, authorized and requested[73 Stat. 212](/us/stat/73/212). the President to proclaim the third week of July in each year as Captive Nations Week in support of this sentiment. 86 Stat. 1654 NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning July 16, 1972, as Captive Nations Week.

I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and I urge them to give renewed devotion to the just aspirations of all peoples for self-determination and human liberty. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4144 July 26, 1972 American Education Week, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4144 American Education Week, 1972July 26, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Daniel Webster said:

“On the diffusion of education among the people rest the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions.” Webster was right. Not only will the quality of our young people’s future be determined by the quality of the education they receive, but a nation of free institutions depends for its greatness on the knowledge and understanding of its people. Therefore, nothing matters more to the future of America than the strength, the vitality and the success of its educational system.

Throughout the Nation, citizens are engaged in a massive effort to maintain and improve the quality of our education, and to ensure that it keeps ahead of the growing challenges it faces in an ever more complex society. Our continued success as a Nation will depend in large measure on the readiness and capacity of our schools to meet their new tasks in new ways, while holding fast to the fundamental virtues of our democracy and the integrity of the learning process. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the period of October 22 through October 28, 1972, as American Education Week.

Education is the doorway to opportunity, and the theme of American Education Week, “Make Education Top Priority,” carries with it a commitment to provide equal educational opportunity for every individual in this Nation. I urge all citizens to help our schools honor this commitment. 86 Stat. 1655 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4145 August 3, 1972 Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4145 Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1972August 3, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation One hundred and eighty-five years ago a group of determined and purposeful men assembled in Philadelphia and signed the Constitution of the United States.

They gave form to our ideals of self-government,[USC prec. title 1](/us/usc/t1). and laid the foundation for a community of free people in which the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness could flourish. The world has changed greatly since then. But their work has endured, as a source of strength to America and of inspiration to the world. As a representative democracy, the United States has prospered beyond man’s wildest dreams and has become a shining symbol of freedom for men and women everywhere.

Within the framework of this fundamental law, our people enjoy the rights, the freedoms and the exercise of responsibilities to which people everywhere aspire. The Constitution of the United States is no mere impersonal doctrine. It is an instrument of our people. Its vitality and meaning depend upon the purpose and the energy of all of our citizens. President Grover Cleveland said: “I indulge in no mere figure of speech when I say that our nation * * * lives in us—in our hearts and minds and consciences.

There it must find its nutriment or die. This thought more than any other presents to our minds the impressiveness and responsibility of American citizenship. The land we live in seems to be strong and active. But how fares the land that lives in us?” Today it is the land that lives in us which will determine the course of this Nation. On February 29, 1952, the Congress approved a joint resolution (66 Stat. 9) setting aside the seventeenth day of September of each year as[36 USC 153](/us/usc/t36/s153). 86 Stat. 1656Citizenship Day in commemoration of the signing of the Constitution [USC prec. title 1](/us/usc/t1).of the United States on September 17, 1787, and in recognition of all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, had attained citizenship during the year.

On August 2, 1956, the Congress approved a second [36 USC 159](/us/usc/t36/s159).joint resolution (70 Stat. 932), requesting the President to designate the week beginning September 17 of each year as Constitution Week. NOW, THEREFORE, I RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, direct the appropriate Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Citizenship Day, September 17, 1972. I urge Federal, State, and local officials, as well as all religious, civic, educational, and other interested organizations to make arrangements for impressive, meaningful pageants and observances on that day to inspire all our citizens to rededicate themselves to the services of their country and to the support and defense of the Constitution.

I also designate the period beginning September 17 and ending September 23, 1972, as Constitution Week; and I urge the people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities in their schools and churches, and in other suitable places, to the end that our citizens, whether they be naturalized or natural-born, may have a better understanding of the Constitution and of the rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4146 August 21, 1972 Leif Erikson Day, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4146 Leif Erikson Day, 1972August 21, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation In the year 1000, Norse explorer Leif Erikson braved the then uncharted waters of the North Atlantic to reach the New World’s shores.

He and his small band exhibited through their explorations a spirit of adventure and courage which overcame the fears binding so many of their fellow Europeans to the Old World. 86 Stat. 1657 Now, more than nine hundred years later, we must summon those same qualities to aid us in meeting the challenges of this world and exploring the unknown of outer space. It is most appropriate that we give national recognition to Leif Erikson, and I am happy to comply with the request of the Congress of the United States, in a joint resolution approved September 2, 1964 (78 Stat. 849), that the President proclaim[36 USC 169c](/us/usc/t36/s169c).

October 9 in each year as Leif Erikson Day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Monday, October 9, 1972, as Leif Erikson Day; and I direct the appropriate Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings that day. I also invite the people of the United States to honor the memory of Leif Erikson on that day by holding appropriate exercises and ceremonies in suitable places across our land.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4147 August 26, 1972 Women’s Rights Day Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4147 Women’s Rights DayAugust 26, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Fifty-two years ago the Secretary of State issued a proclamation declaring the addition of the Nineteenth Amendment to our Constitution.[41 Stat. 1823](/us/stat/41/1823).

That act marked the culmination of a long struggle by the women of this country to achieve the basic right to participate in our electoral process. As significant as the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment was, it was not cause for ending women’s efforts to achieve their full rights in our society. Rather, it brought an increased awareness of other rights not yet realized. In recent years there have been great strides in extending the protection of the law to the rights of women, and in promoting equal opportunities for women.

Today more women than ever before serve in policy-making 86 Stat. 1658positions in the executive branch of our Government. Throughout the Nation, in State and local government and in the private sphere women are playing a more active role. Although every woman may not desire a career outside the home, every woman should have the freedom to pursue whatever career she wishes. Although women today have a greater opportunity to do that, we still must do more to ensure women every opportunity to make the fullest contribution to our progress as a Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Saturday, August 26, 1972, as Women’s Rights Day and call upon all our citizens and particularly those organizations concerned with the protection of human rights to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4148 August 28, 1972 Farmfest, U.S.A., 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4148 Farmfest, U.S.A., 1972August 28, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Farmfest, U.S.A., an exposition to be held near Vernon Center, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, from September 11 through September 17, 1972, will depict the story of agricultural progress and will feature numerous displays and demonstrations focusing on how our farmers help to feed America and the world.

As part of the weeklong festival, the United States will host the Nineteenth Annual World Ploughing Contest. Homage will be paid to the humble plough, the oldest known tillage tool and worldwide symbol of agriculture, through ploughing matches which represent an agricultural tradition of more than two centuries. They will help to dramatize the advances in farming from days of hard manual labor and animal power to our vast technological capacities. Farmfest, U.S.A. and the 1972 World Ploughing Contest will provide an appropriate opportunity to salute worldwide agriculture and will promote foreign and domestic trade and commerce in farm commodities. 86 Stat. 1659 NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, in consonance with Senate Joint Resolution 182, do hereby invite the States of the Union and foreign nations*Ante*, p. 632. to participate in Farmfest, U.S.A., to be held in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, from September 11, 1972, through September 17, 1972.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4149 September 7, 1972 National Hispanic Heritage Week, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4149 National Hispanic Heritage Week, 1972September 7, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As we approach the bicentennial of the founding of the United States of America and consider the elements of our national life, the contributions of men and women of Hispanic origin stand out among those which have enriched our heritage and made our land the great country it is today.

Americans of Hispanic origin or descent have enriched the culture of both this Nation and the world—as scientists, as statesmen, as artists, as soldiers, as labor leaders, as bankers, and as humble workers. Through-out our history they have helped to build America. We take special pride in the talented men and women of Hispanic origin who today serve in our government. To acknowledge these important contributions, the Congress by a joint resolution approved September 17, 1968, requested the President[82 Stat. 848](/us/stat/82/848).[36 USC 169f](/us/usc/t36/s169f). to issue annually a proclamation designating the week which includes September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week.

It is for me a welcome privilege to pay homage to Americans of Spanish origin, for in honoring them we honor our Nation’s vigorous diversity. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning September 10, 1972, and ending September 16, 1972, as National 86 Stat. 1660Hispanic Heritage Week. I call upon all the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4150 September 7, 1972 Fire Prevention Week, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4150 Fire Prevention Week, 1972September 7, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation One American home catches fire every 56 seconds.

The toll in human sorrow, in shattered dreams and plans, in pain and fear overshadow last year’s three billion dollars in property loss. Approximately 12,000 persons lost their lives last year because of fires. Destructive fire knows no prejudices. Its victims come from every neighborhood, from every income bracket, from every race and ethnic group. Yet the burden does not fall evenly because its principal victims are the poor, the very young and the very old. We have long needed a national focus on fire prevention; and now that focus is being provided by the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control which I appointed a year ago to study and recommend ways to reduce fire disasters.

I endorse the preliminary findings of this Commission which emphasize the need for improved public education, for early detection and alarm, and for better protective equipment for firefighters. The Commission on Fire Prevention and Control has made a good beginning, but it cannot do our work for us. Only people can prevent fires. We must become constantly alert to the threat of fires to ourselves, our children, and our homes. Fire is almost always the result of human carelessness.

Each one of us must become aware—not for a single time, but for all the year—of what he or she can do to prevent fires. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning Octo-86 Stat. 1661ber 8, 1972, as Fire Prevention Week. I urge every citizen to make this the first week in an entire year of fire awareness and of the ways in which he can eliminate fire hazards and prevent fires. Our firefighters are selfless public servants.

Yet they are too often subjected to physical attack and abuse while on their missions. I call upon all citizens to participate in the fire prevention activities of the various governments and of the National Fire Protection Association, In addition, I urge every citizen to visit his local fire company and to find out what he can do to help our firemen in their difficult but essential work. I also encourage all Federal agencies to participate in Fire Prevention Week, in cooperation with the Federal Fire Council, by conducting effective fire prevention programs, including fire exit drills and other means of training employees.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of-the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4151 September 8, 1972 National Highway Week, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation PROCLAMATION 4151 National Highway Week, 1972September 8, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America’s recent growth patterns have paralleled to a large degree the growth of our great national highway system.

This is not a coincidence. We have learned over the years that where a highway goes, people go. And where people go, there is new economic activity. New jobs are created, new homes are built, new communities are served and new recreational opportunities are opened. Highways have been and will continue to be the vital lifelines for thousands of communities across this Nation. Highways link them not only with each other, but with other means of transportation by air, rail or water. 86 Stat. 1662 As our Nation continues to grow and prosper, Americans will be traveling on our highways in increasing numbers.

Although efforts at the Federal, State and local levels over the past three years succeeded in stabilizing the number of motor vehicle fatalities, we are faced this year with an upward trend in the highway death toll rate. If the current trend continues, traffic accidents this year will have killed more people than ever before. And the bulk of those killed, maimed or disfigured will be young people with whom the future of our Nation rests. Given these facts and our studies which show that seven out of every ten crashes are driver-caused, I strongly urge every American to drive responsively and responsibly.

I call upon all Americans to assume personal responsibility for reducing injury and death on our highways by using safety belts in their vehicles, by observing legal speed limits and by driving courteously, soberly and defensively at all times. Only by balancing our expanded use of highways with an increased awareness of traffic safety can we hope to achieve real progress in cutting the accident and death toll on our Nation’s roads and streets. Responsible driving on our great highway system will bring us far towards our goal of a comprehensive, balanced transportation system—a system in which highways will continue to meet our principal needs for mobility, flexibility and convenience in moving people and goods.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning September 24, 1972, as National Highway Week. I urge Federal, State, and local government officials, as well as highway industry and other organizations, to hold appropriate ceremonies during that week in recognition of what highway transportation means to our country. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh. 4152 September 13, 1972 General Pulaski’s Memorial Day, 1972 Digitization Vendor By The President of the United States of America Proclamation

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