[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48815-48816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23950]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 17, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 48815]]

                Proclamation 6916 of September 13, 1996

                
National Farm Safety and Health Week, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Farming is an occupation, both personally rewarding and 
                vitally important, keeping grocery store shelves 
                stocked with affordable and healthful food products for 
                consumers. American farmers, ranchers, and their 
                families are dedicated to producing crops and livestock 
                that not only feed the American people, but also have 
                become increasingly important to the global economy. 
                The 2.1 million farms in the United States are 
                predominately operated by farm and ranch families, who 
                work long, grueling hours, exposed to hazards ranging 
                from complicated machinery, to farm chemicals, 
                unpredictable livestock, and variable weather. They 
                also face danger from potentially toxic dusts and gases 
                found in and around farm silos, manure storage 
                facilities, and livestock confinement buildings. 
                Workers must be constantly on guard as they face these 
                hazardous by-products of agricultural work.

                Education and training programs, including ``hands-on'' 
                intensive activities, have created an awareness among 
                farmers and ranchers that personal safety equipment is 
                a good investment for preventing injuries and illnesses 
                related to their work.

                Linked to these safety initiatives are programs that 
                bring about a higher level of personal health 
                awareness. This helps to reduce the levels of noise-
                induced hearing loss, sun exposure-related skin cancer, 
                and the occupational respiratory ailments prevalent 
                among agricultural workers in the United States.

                On America's farms, young people are routinely exposed 
                to some of the same risks as adults. Their level of 
                maturity, training, and experience should be considered 
                when assigning chores on the farm. Since many children 
                live on farms, safe play areas should be designated to 
                minimize their exposure to danger.

                In setting aside this special week each year to focus 
                on the safety and health of farmers, ranchers, and 
                their families, we demonstrate to our Nation's citizens 
                the importance of a strong agricultural industry as we 
                approach the 21st century.

                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 September 15 through 
                September 21, 1996, as National Farm Safety and Health 
                Week. I call upon government agencies, businesses, and 
                professional associations that serve our agricultural 
                sector to strengthen efforts to promote safety and 
                health measures among our Nation's farm and ranch 
                workers. I also call upon our Nation to recognize 
                Wednesday, September 18, 1996, as a day set aside 
                during the week to pay special attention to the risks 
                and hazards facing young people on farms and ranches. I 
                would ask agricultural workers to take advantage of 
                educational programs and technical advances that can 
                help them avoid injury and illness. Finally, I call 
                upon the citizens of our Nation to reflect upon the 
                bounty we enjoy thanks to the labor of agricultural 
                workers across our land. Join me in renewing our 
                commitment to making their health and safety a national 
                priority.

[[Page 48816]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirteenth day of September, 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 twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-23950
Filed 9-16-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P