[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 67 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17979-17980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8785]




[[Page 17977]]

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Part VII





The President





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 Proclamation 6781--National Child Abuse Prevention Month


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 67 / Friday, April 7, 1995 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President  
[[Page 17979]] 
                Proclamation 6781 of April 4, 1995

                
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1995

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Childhood should be a special time. Every child should 
                grow up in an atmosphere of love and respect. Children 
                should have a chance to learn, to explore and develop, 
                to look forward to becoming successful, happy, and 
                loving adults. Yet tragically, for a growing number of 
                children in the United States, childhood is an ordeal 
                of violence, pain, and broken promises--a time to 
                endure, not one to cherish.

                Child abuse and neglect in America are on the rise. 
                Nationwide, nearly 3 million children are reported 
                abused and neglected each year, and more than 1,200 die 
                from the effects. Although public concern about 
                violence against our Nation's youth is extremely high, 
                many Americans don't know what role they can play in 
                protecting them. For that reason, each April, 
                communities across the country join together to raise 
                public awareness, to call for an end to child abuse, 
                and to let everyone know what they can do to help.

                This year, National Child Abuse Prevention Month 
                focuses on the simple truth, ``The more you help, the 
                less they hurt.'' The goal is to teach all Americans 
                how they can help end the cycle of abuse and neglect 
                that tears at the very fabric of our families, our 
                communities, and our country. Because the effects of 
                child abuse are felt by whole communities, the search 
                for solutions must be a community-wide effort--and 
                every citizen must get involved.

                Child abuse prevention efforts succeed because of 
                partnerships among social service agencies, schools, 
                religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, and 
                the business community. I encourage you to get 
                involved. Volunteer on a crisis hotline for parents who 
                are under stress, or help start a parents' support 
                group. Perhaps you could find space in your community 
                to establish a ``drop-in center'' where parents can get 
                information and support. You could urge your religious 
                or neighborhood group to sponsor a home visitor program 
                for new parents. Or you might help your local school 
                and youth organizations arrange for speakers and events 
                about preventing violence against children.

                These are just some of the steps we can take to help 
                protect our children and to strengthen our families. If 
                we don't change things, our children--more of them each 
                day--will lose their chance at life. And our Nation 
                will lose the tremendous potential that every young 
                life holds.

                America's children are products of the world we have 
                made for them. Their well-being is a reflection of our 
                commitment, maturity, and wisdom. If we nurture our 
                children and fill their lives with genuine caring and 
                respect, we will see our love realized in a world of 
                enduring hope and promise.

                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 the month of April 1995 as 
                ``National Child Abuse Prevention Month.'' I call upon 
                all Americans [[Page 17980]] during this month and 
                throughout the year to help keep our children safe from 
                harm.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-five, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and 
                nineteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)<Clinton1><Clinton2>

[FR Doc. 95-8785
Filed 4-5-95; 4:18 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P