Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2023 / Presidential Documents 81339 

Proclamation 10676 of November 17, 2023 

National Child’s Day, 2023 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Our Nation’s children are the kite strings that keep our national ambitions 

aloft—they are the dreamers and doers, who will determine the course 

of our future. From an early age, young people lead the way by volunteering 

in their communities, modeling compassion and tolerance, and pushing 

us to address the critical issues of our time like climate change and gun 

violence. This generation of young people is the most gifted, tolerant, talented, and educated in American history. They are the reason I am so 

optimistic about the future. On National Child’s Day, we recommit to ensuring that every child has the resources and opportunities they need to reach 

their full potential. 

That is why my Administration has invested billions of dollars in America’s 

schools. These funds are putting more teachers in our classrooms, supporting 

tutoring programs, financing building renovations, replacing lead pipes, and 

more. Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expanding access to reliable 

high-speed internet so every student can log on at any time, regardless 

of their zip code. 

We are also prioritizing the health and safety of our children. By expanding 

the Child Tax Credit, my Administration cut the child poverty rate nearly 

in half, and I continue to call on the Congress to reinstate this expansion 

because no child should grow up in poverty. We are also working to lower 

the cost of health care and expand access to affordable, nutritious meals 

for millions of families. My Administration released a national strategy 

to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases in America by 2030—including advancing a pathway to provide free, healthy school meals for all children. New vaccines are rolling out that protect children against COVID– 

19, RSV, and the flu, which you can learn more about at www.vaccines.gov. 

We are also supporting LGBTQI+ children and families by safeguarding 

access to health care and preventing harmful so-called ‘‘conversion therapy.’’ 

Further, we are working with State child welfare agencies to make sure 

LGBTQI+ youth are placed in safe and loving homes. To curb the epidemic 

of gun violence in America—now the leading cause of death of children 

in the United States—I was proud to sign into law the most significant 

gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. This law will save children’s 

lives, but we cannot stop until we finally pass an assault weapons ban. 

Mental health is just as important as physical health, which is why I am 

addressing the youth mental health crisis head-on. My Administration has 

advanced measures to increase the number of school psychologists and 

counselors available to our kids and to make it easier for schools to use 

Medicaid to deliver mental health care, including services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. We also proposed a rule that would 

require insurers to finally cover mental health care just as they do physical 

care. Further, we must do more to make the internet a safe place for children. 

I have called on the Congress to limit the personal data that tech companies 

collect, ban targeted advertising directed at minors, and strengthen protections that safeguard children’s health and safety online. 


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81340 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2023 / Presidential Documents 

Finally, all this progress means little if our children do not inherit a healthy 

planet. That is why I fought so hard to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, 

a landmark bill that contains the largest investment to tackle climate change 

in history. The Act will help our children breathe cleaner air and drink 

cleaner water. It is also creating the jobs of the future so our kids can 

graduate into a strong clean energy economy. 

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive because when they dream 

big, our whole Nation is opened to new possibilities. The children of today 

are the global leaders of tomorrow. That is why this National Child’s Day, 

we recommit to fulfilling the promise of America for every child and building 

a future worthy of their dreams. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 November 20, 2023, 

as National Child’s Day. I call upon all government officials, educators, 

volunteers, and all the people of the United States of America to observe 

this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth 

day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and 

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

and forty-eighth. 

[FR Doc. 2023–25985 

Filed 11–21–23; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3395–F4–P 


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