Presidential Documents

53701

Federal Register

Vol. 62, No. 199

Wednesday, October 15, 1997

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7040 of October 10, 1997

National Children’s Day, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

With the birth of every child, the world becomes new again. Within each

new infant lies enormous potential—potential for loving, for learning, and

for making life better for others. But this potential must be nurtured. Just

as seeds need fertile soil, warm sunshine, and gentle rain to grow, so

do our children need a caring environment, the security of knowing they

are loved, and the encouragement and opportunity to make the most of

their God-given talents. There is no more urgent task before us, as a people

and as a Nation, than creating such an environment for America’s children.

One of the surest ways to do so is to strengthen American families and

help parents in their efforts to raise healthy, happy children. My Administration has worked hard to give parents the tools they need to fulfill their

crucial responsibilities. We have sought to put tobacco and guns out of

the reach of children. We are improving the quality of our children’s schools

by making a national commitment to high academic and teaching standards.

Recognizing the importance of a child’s early years to his or her development,

we have expanded Head Start and established Early Head Start for lowincome families with children 3 years old or younger. We have made it

easier for millions of parents to take time off to be with a sick child

without losing their jobs, and to keep their health insurance when they

change jobs. We have protected Medicaid coverage for 36 million Americans,

including about 20 million children, and the Balanced Budget Act I recently

signed into law will provide meaningful health care coverage to millions

more uninsured children.

But there is still much to be accomplished if we are to ensure that America’s

children grow up to meet their fullest potential. Our next important goal

must be to build upon our efforts and improve the quality and affordability

of child care in our Nation. With more people in the work force, with

more single-parent homes, and with more families in which both parents

have to work to make ends meet, millions of American children are already

in some form of day care, and the demand for affordable, quality child

care is growing. Later this month, the First Lady and I will host the White

House Conference on Child Care to work with and learn from other parents,

child care providers and experts, business leaders, and economists. Together

we will focus on the best means to increase the quality, availability, and

affordability of child care in our Nation.

As we observe National Children’s Day this year, let us recommit ourselves

to creating a society where parents can raise healthy, happy children; where

every newborn is cherished, where every child is encouraged to succeed,

and where all our young people are free to pursue their dreams.
53702 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 15, 1997 / Presidential Documents

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 October 12, 1997, as

National Children’s Day. I urge all Americans to express their love and

appreciation for children on this day and on every day throughout the

year. I invite Federal officials, State and local governments, and particularly

all American families to join together in observing this day with appropriate

ceremonies and activities to honor our Nation’s children.

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

October, 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. 97–27583

Filed 10–14–97; 11:16 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

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