Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Presidential Documents 50473

Proclamation 7026 of September 19, 1997

National Farm Safety and Health Week, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From the earliest days of our Nation, the men and women who work the

land have held a special place in America’s heart, history, and economy.

Many of us are no more than a few generations removed from forebears

whose determination and hard work on farms and fields helped to build

our Nation and shape its values. While the portion of our population directly

involved in agriculture has diminished over the years, those who live and

work on America’s farms and ranches continue to make extraordinary contributions to the quality of our national life and the strength of our economy.

The life of a farmer or rancher has never been easy. The work is hard,

physically challenging, and uniquely subject to the forces of nature; the

chemicals and labor-saving machinery that have helped American farmers

become so enormously productive have also brought with them new health

hazards; and working with livestock can result in frequent injury to agricultural workers and their families.

Fortunately, there are measures we can take to reduce agriculture-related

injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Manufacturers continue to improve the safety

features of farming equipment; protective clothing and safety gear can reduce

the exposure of workers to the health threats posed by chemicals, noise,

dust, and sun; training in first-aid procedures and access to good health

care can often mean the difference between life and death.

The key to all these safety measures is education. During National Farm

Safety and Health Week, I encourage America’s farmers, ranchers, and other

agricultural workers to remain alert to the dangers inherent in their livelihood. By learning about and using the latest safety features of farming

equipment and vehicles, wearing personal protective gear and clothing, and

practicing good preventive health care, they can avoid or reduce many

of the hazards they face each day. It is particularly important to teach

our young people on farms and ranches about proper safety measures, to

provide safe areas where children can play, and to monitor their activities.

Their experience and maturity must always be considered before they are

allowed to participate in farm or ranch work.

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 21 through

September 27, 1997, as National Farm Safety and Health Week. I call upon

government agencies, educational institutions, 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 ask agricultural workers to take advantage of available technology, training,

and information that can help them prevent injury and illness. I also call

upon all Americans to observe Wednesday, September 24, 1997, as a day

to focus on the risks facing young people on our Nation’s farms and ranches

and to reflect during this week on the bounty that we enjoy thanks to

the hard work and dedication of America’s agricultural workers.
50474 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Presidential Documents

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

of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven,

and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred

[FR Doc. 97–25698

Filed 9–24–97; 8:59 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

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