Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Presidential Documents 51739 

Proclamation 8433 of October 2, 2009 

Child Health Day, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Our Nation has an obligation to provide access to affordable, high-quality 

health care for all our children. No child should be forced to go without 

medical attention because the cost of a doctor visit is too high. Healthy 

children are better equipped to combat illness and to perform well in school, 

impacting their development well into adulthood. On Child Health Day, 

we recognize the fundamental importance of health care for our Nation’s 

children, and dedicate our collective energies to support their needs and 

those of their families. 

The responsibility for our children’s health rests with every American. Parents and guardians should lead by example. We must teach our children 

the importance of healthy eating and a physically active lifestyle. We can 

support community programs across America that provide our young people 

with healthy choices, and ensure that families have the resources necessary 

to champion the health of their children. From outdoor activities to community athletic teams, we can seize opportunities to increase physical activity 

in the lives of our children, and promote healthy habits at an early age. 

When our children make smart, healthy decisions, they are set on the 

path towards success. A balanced diet, coupled with proper exercise, has 

proven effective in combating childhood obesity and other chronic illnesses 

among our Nation’s young people. More recently, the lure of indoor distractions has drawn our children away from the athletic fields and outdoor 

activities that can be part of a healthy lifestyle. We must engage our Nation’s 

children in behaviors that support their physical fitness, ensure they have 

access to healthy, affordable food, and empower their families with the 

information essential for healthy living. 

As a Nation, we cannot allow our children to fail in reaching their full 

potential because we fail to meet their basic needs. My Administration 

has made children’s health a priority, and I was proud to sign the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), extending health 

care to millions of young Americans who were previously uninsured. Today, 

we celebrate the health of our children and rededicate ourselves to providing 

a bright, healthy future for our Nation’s youth. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 

5, 2009, as Child Health Day. 

I call upon families, child health professionals, faith-based and community 

organizations, and governments to help ensure that America’s children stay 

safe and healthy. 


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51740 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 

[FR Doc. E9–24446 

Filed 10–7–09; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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