[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 178 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48063-48064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23548]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 178 / Thursday, September 12, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 48063]]
Proclamation 6915 of September 9, 1996
America Goes Back to School, 1996
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Education is the foundation of our economy and society
as we stand at the dawn of the 21st century. Education
provides every American with the tools to make the most
of their own lives and to seize the tremendous
opportunities of economic growth and change. Education
also passes along to our young people the most
fundamental American values: family, responsibility,
and community. To make the next century another
American century--and to help all of our communities to
become prosperous and strong--more parents and
community members must become involved in improving our
local schools and colleges. Better education is
everybody's business. When families, educators, and
communities work together, we can truly build a bridge
to a better, stronger 21st century.
The American people want the best for their children.
Our schools should be safe, disciplined, and drug-free
environments where parents are involved and children
can learn. Our educators and administrators should
continue to aim for the highest standards of academic
excellence and professional accountability. Together we
must rebuild the Nation's schools for the 21st century.
We must make the investments needed to allow our
children to learn about the computers and technology
that are the building blocks of the future. We must
make college more accessible. We must expand public
school choice and competition. And we must make it
easier to move from school to work.
Children are our greatest natural resource: Although
they are only 20 percent of our population, they are
100 percent of our future. From safe schools to better
training for our teachers, from raising standards in
our schools to increasing financial aid for college for
middle-income and working families, from literacy for
children to retraining for adults, we must ensure that
all of our children get a chance to fulfill the
American Dream.
I urge all Americans to be meaningfully involved in
their local schools and colleges and to make a
commitment to support educational improvement
throughout the year. I applaud the Partnership for
Family Involvement in Education, a joint effort
involving the Department of Education and more than 700
schools, family organizations, community groups,
religious communities, family-oriented businesses, and
the men and women of our Armed Forces, for sponsoring
``America Goes Back to School: Get Involved!'' I hope
that this observance will foster grass-roots support
for better education by engaging parents, educators,
and community groups as active partners in
strengthening schools and strengthening families. When
Americans come together as a community, we can make
real progress. By taking a more active role, we as a
Nation will raise our expectations for both our
children and ourselves.
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 September 8 through
September 14, 1996, as a time when America Goes Back to
School. I invite parents, schools, community and State
leaders, businesses, civic and religious organizations,
and the people of the United States to observe this
week
[[Page 48064]]
with appropriate ceremonies and activities expressing
support for high academic standards and family and
community involvement in schools and colleges, and to
continue their active involvement on behalf of
America's children throughout the year.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of September, 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 twenty-first.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 96-23548
Filed 9-11-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
