[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16037-16038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9118]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 10, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 16037]]
Proclamation 6881 of April 8, 1996
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1996
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
America is a country of many blessings--a rich land, a
thriving democracy, a diverse and determined people.
Our culture is built on faith in freedom and on the
spirit of community. In a Nation of such infinite
promise, the continuing problem of child abuse is a
national tragedy. When any American child experiences
the horrors of physical or emotional abuse, the future
of our Nation also suffers. We must always remember
that today's children will be tomorrow's leaders,
educators, and parents, and we must help them to look
forward with hope and enthusiasm to the future.
My Administration is working hard to make this country
a better place for all our children. Although domestic
violence and child abuse are primarily matters for
State and local authorities, we have taken significant
steps at the Federal level to prevent the conditions
that can lead to abuse. Both the National Child
Protection Act of 1993 and the Violent Crime Control
and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 contain provisions that
help communities identify offenders who may pose a
threat to children's well-being.
In addition, our Family Preservation and Family Support
Services were designed to give parents the tools they
need to keep their families intact and raise healthy,
happy children. These include parenting classes,
programs that send a visitor to the homes of first-time
parents to provide support and guidance, and early
developmental screening of children. Bipartisan support
for this initiative--the first Federal investment in
child welfare protection in more than a decade--has
enabled States to use resources flexibly and creatively
to strengthen families and work to reduce child abuse.
But government alone cannot end mistreatment. Social
service agencies, schools, religious organizations, law
enforcement agencies, businesses, and concerned
citizens are all working to help children live up to
their full potential. These efforts to provide loving
and protective environments for our Nation's children
exemplify the finest traditions of service and
compassion. This month and throughout the year, let us
each do everything we can to strengthen families and
ease the pain of abused children. Together, we can make
an investment in the future by putting the needs of our
most precious and vulnerable citizens first.
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 1996, as National
Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans
to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies,
programs, and activities that raise awareness of the
need to help our children lead happy, productive lives.
[[Page 16038]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twentieth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 96-9118
Filed 4-9-96; 10:07 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
