Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 203 / Thursday, October 19, 2000 / Presidential Documents 62989

Proclamation 7367 of October 14, 2000

White Cane Safety Day, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Last month at the Olympic Games in Sydney, American runner Marla Runyan

made history in the women’s 1500-meter race. She was not considered

a favorite in the event and won no medals, placing ninth in the final

competition. But as the first legally blind athlete ever to qualify for and

compete in an Olympic event, Marla set an extraordinary precedent and

proved to millions of people across the globe that disability need not be

a limitation on achievement or a barrier to success.

Marla Runyan’s accomplishment reflects the spirit of two historic pieces

of legislation whose milestone anniversaries we celebrate this year. Ten

years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law to guarantee access to public accommodations and services and to outlaw workplace

discrimination for people with disabilities. Twenty-five years ago, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act became law, ensuring that people

with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.

Both of these laws have made a significant impact on the lives of millions

of Americans with disabilities by allowing them to pursue their dreams

and make their own contributions to our society.

But even before passage of these landmark laws, the white cane was helping

to open doors of opportunity for many blind and visually impaired Americans. With proper training, people using the white cane can enjoy greater

mobility and safety by determining the location of curbs, steps, uneven

pavement, and other physical obstacles in their path. The white cane has

given them the freedom to travel independently to their schools and workplaces and to participate more fully in the life of their communities.

The white cane is a simple tool, but, like Marla Runyan’s accomplishments,

it reminds us that the only barriers against people with disabilities are

discriminatory attitudes and practices that our society has too often placed

in their way. As we observe White Cane Safety Day, let us reaffirm our

commitment to building a society where we embrace the talents, energy,

and contributions of every individual.

To honor the many achievements of blind and visually impaired citizens

and to recognize the white cane’s significance in advancing independence,

the Congress, by joint resolution approved October 6, 1964, has designated

October 15 of each year as ‘‘White Cane Safety Day.’’

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States

of America, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2000, as White Cane Safety

Day. I call upon the people of the United States, government officials,

educators, and business leaders to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

62990 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 203 / Thursday, October 19, 2000 / Presidential Documents

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

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence

[FR Doc. 00–27113

Filed 10–18–00; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

œ–