[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48815-48816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23950]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 17, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 48815]]
Proclamation 6916 of September 13, 1996
National Farm Safety and Health Week, 1996
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Farming is an occupation, both personally rewarding and
vitally important, keeping grocery store shelves
stocked with affordable and healthful food products for
consumers. American farmers, ranchers, and their
families are dedicated to producing crops and livestock
that not only feed the American people, but also have
become increasingly important to the global economy.
The 2.1 million farms in the United States are
predominately operated by farm and ranch families, who
work long, grueling hours, exposed to hazards ranging
from complicated machinery, to farm chemicals,
unpredictable livestock, and variable weather. They
also face danger from potentially toxic dusts and gases
found in and around farm silos, manure storage
facilities, and livestock confinement buildings.
Workers must be constantly on guard as they face these
hazardous by-products of agricultural work.
Education and training programs, including ``hands-on''
intensive activities, have created an awareness among
farmers and ranchers that personal safety equipment is
a good investment for preventing injuries and illnesses
related to their work.
Linked to these safety initiatives are programs that
bring about a higher level of personal health
awareness. This helps to reduce the levels of noise-
induced hearing loss, sun exposure-related skin cancer,
and the occupational respiratory ailments prevalent
among agricultural workers in the United States.
On America's farms, young people are routinely exposed
to some of the same risks as adults. Their level of
maturity, training, and experience should be considered
when assigning chores on the farm. Since many children
live on farms, safe play areas should be designated to
minimize their exposure to danger.
In setting aside this special week each year to focus
on the safety and health of farmers, ranchers, and
their families, we demonstrate to our Nation's citizens
the importance of a strong agricultural industry as we
approach the 21st century.
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 15 through
September 21, 1996, as National Farm Safety and Health
Week. I call upon government agencies, businesses, and
professional associations that serve our agricultural
sector to strengthen efforts to promote safety and
health measures among our Nation's farm and ranch
workers. I also call upon our Nation to recognize
Wednesday, September 18, 1996, as a day set aside
during the week to pay special attention to the risks
and hazards facing young people on farms and ranches. I
would ask agricultural workers to take advantage of
educational programs and technical advances that can
help them avoid injury and illness. Finally, I call
upon the citizens of our Nation to reflect upon the
bounty we enjoy thanks to the labor of agricultural
workers across our land. Join me in renewing our
commitment to making their health and safety a national
priority.
[[Page 48816]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirteenth 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. 96-23950
Filed 9-16-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
