[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 8849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5359]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 5, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents   

[[Page 8849]]

                Proclamation 6869 of March 1, 1996

                
Save Your Vision Week, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Vision is a remarkable gift. Our eyes allow us to read, 
                to see the faces of our loved ones, and to experience 
                many of life's greatest pleasures. Too often, we take 
                our sight for granted and must be reminded that our 
                eyes require regular care and attention. The more we 
                learn about preventing eye disease and vision loss, the 
                better equipped we will be to take care of these vital 
                organs.

                Many young people suffer from vision-related learning 
                disabilities that jeopardize their academic success. 
                However, with early intervention, such sight problems 
                are often easily correctable. Senior citizens, too, are 
                particularly vulnerable to eye difficulties, but we are 
                fortunate that advances in medical research are 
                improving our understanding of the diseases that often 
                rob older Americans of their sight.

                As a result of these new technologies and discoveries 
                in the field of eye care, many diseases that would have 
                caused permanent sight loss just decades ago can now be 
                treated with excellent prospects for full recovery. For 
                example, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of 
                blindness with timely laser surgery, the effects of 
                glaucoma can often be prevented, and studies are 
                exploring the role of vitamins and minerals in slowing 
                the progression of age-related macular degeneration and 
                cataract.

                To educate people about these strides and to encourage 
                all Americans to protect their precious eyesight, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 
                1963 (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 169a), has authorized and 
                requested the President to proclaim the first week in 
                March of each year as ``Save Your Vision Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 3 
                through March 9, 1996, as Save Your Vision Week. I urge 
                all the people of the United States to participate in 
                this observance by making eye care and eye safety a 
                priority and to recognize the important contributions 
                that vision research makes to our lives. I invite eye 
                care professionals, the media, and all public and 
                private organizations committed to the goal of sight 
                preservation to join in activities that educate our 
                citizens about the simple steps they can take to save 
                their vision.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-5359
Filed 3-4-96; 11:13 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P