[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62943-62944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31220]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 1997 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 62943]]
Proclamation 7055 of November 22, 1997
National Family Caregivers Week, 1997
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
During this season of thanksgiving, when we reflect on
the many blessings that have been bestowed on us as
individuals and as a Nation, we are especially grateful
for the love of our families and friends. One of the
most profound ways in which that love is expressed is
through the generous support provided by caregivers to
those who need help if they are to remain in their
homes and communities.
Caregivers reflect family and community life at its
best. Thanks to their efforts, Americans with
disabilities and a growing number of elderly Americans
are able to stay in familiar surroundings and to
maintain their dignity and independence. Caregivers not
only enhance the quality of life for those they serve,
but also greatly reduce the demands on the formal
system of caregiving services in our Nation.
The statistics describing caregivers in America today
tell an extraordinary story of generosity and
compassion. Nearly one in four households is involved
in caring for a relative or other loved one in need,
providing a range of assistance from personal care to
household help to transportation. Thirty percent of
caregivers are caring for two or more people, and 64
percent hold down jobs while providing such care.
Caregivers share not only their time, but also their
resources, spending some $2 billion a month of their
own assets for groceries, medicine, and other aid.
There is another side to caregiving in America today.
Many older relatives now take care of children whose
parents, for whatever reason, are no longer able to
provide that care themselves. These generous men and
women, who in many cases have already raised families
and are looking forward to pursuing their own interests
in retirement, embrace the challenges of parenting a
new generation of young people. They give millions of
our most vulnerable youth the opportunity to grow up in
stable, loving homes.
These everyday heroes among us deserve our lasting
gratitude and respect. This week, as we honor the many
contributions that family caregivers make to the
quality of our national life, let us resolve to work
through our community, religious, social, business, and
other organizations to offer programs and services that
will provide caregivers the support and encouragement
they need to carry out their vital responsibilities.
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 November 23 through November
29, 1997, as National Family Caregivers Week. I call
upon Government officials, businesses, communities,
educators, volunteers, and all the people of the United
States to acknowledge the invaluable efforts of
caregivers this week and throughout the year.
[[Page 62944]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-second day of November, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-second.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 97-31220
Filed 11-24-97; 11:55 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
