[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16037-16038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9118]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 10, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 16037]]

                Proclamation 6881 of April 8, 1996

                
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America is a country of many blessings--a rich land, a 
                thriving democracy, a diverse and determined people. 
                Our culture is built on faith in freedom and on the 
                spirit of community. In a Nation of such infinite 
                promise, the continuing problem of child abuse is a 
                national tragedy. When any American child experiences 
                the horrors of physical or emotional abuse, the future 
                of our Nation also suffers. We must always remember 
                that today's children will be tomorrow's leaders, 
                educators, and parents, and we must help them to look 
                forward with hope and enthusiasm to the future.

                My Administration is working hard to make this country 
                a better place for all our children. Although domestic 
                violence and child abuse are primarily matters for 
                State and local authorities, we have taken significant 
                steps at the Federal level to prevent the conditions 
                that can lead to abuse. Both the National Child 
                Protection Act of 1993 and the Violent Crime Control 
                and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 contain provisions that 
                help communities identify offenders who may pose a 
                threat to children's well-being.

                In addition, our Family Preservation and Family Support 
                Services were designed to give parents the tools they 
                need to keep their families intact and raise healthy, 
                happy children. These include parenting classes, 
                programs that send a visitor to the homes of first-time 
                parents to provide support and guidance, and early 
                developmental screening of children. Bipartisan support 
                for this initiative--the first Federal investment in 
                child welfare protection in more than a decade--has 
                enabled States to use resources flexibly and creatively 
                to strengthen families and work to reduce child abuse.

                But government alone cannot end mistreatment. Social 
                service agencies, schools, religious organizations, law 
                enforcement agencies, businesses, and concerned 
                citizens are all working to help children live up to 
                their full potential. These efforts to provide loving 
                and protective environments for our Nation's children 
                exemplify the finest traditions of service and 
                compassion. This month and throughout the year, let us 
                each do everything we can to strengthen families and 
                ease the pain of abused children. Together, we can make 
                an investment in the future by putting the needs of our 
                most precious and vulnerable citizens first.

                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 April 1996, as National 
                Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans 
                to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, 
                programs, and activities that raise awareness of the 
                need to help our children lead happy, productive lives.
                
[[Page 16038]]


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of April, 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. 96-9118
Filed 4-9-96; 10:07 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P