[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 198 (Thursday, October 10, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53293-53294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26225]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 198 / Thursday, October 10, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 53293]]


                Proclamation 6930 of October 5, 1996

                
Fire Prevention Week, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation has a long tradition of unity in the face of 
                adversity, and Americans have always stood together to 
                fight one of our most terrifying and preventable 
                problems--fire. We are fortunate to have so many 
                dedicated public and private organizations working 
                diligently to promote fire prevention and safety. Each 
                October, Fire Prevention Week gives us an opportunity 
                to remember family and friends who have been the 
                victims of fire, and to redouble our efforts to prevent 
                these tragedies.

                Uncontrolled, fire can destroy homes, livelihoods, and 
                lives. This year, in the wake of one of the most 
                serious wildland fire seasons in history and a 
                troubling series of arsons at houses of worship, we 
                must join together and rededicate ourselves to fire 
                prevention efforts. Whether working to stop church 
                arsons or to avoid accidental fires in the home, we all 
                have an important role to play.

                The National Fire Protection Association has selected 
                ``Let's Hear it for Fire Safety: Test Your Detectors!'' 
                as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, 1996, and joins 
                with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 
                communicate this lifesaving message. This year's theme 
                focuses on a vital and simple element of home fire 
                protection--smoke detectors.

                Smoke detectors can provide early warning and reduce 
                the risk of dying in a home fire by almost half. The 
                theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week reinforces 
                the need for regular testing of home smoke detectors. 
                The combination of a working smoke detector with a 
                well-rehearsed escape plan can enable people to exit 
                safely and quickly in the event of a fire.

                Thanks to the commitment and support of our Nation's 
                fire and emergency services, we continue to make fire 
                prevention and fire safety a top priority in America. 
                Too often, these dedicated champions of fire safety pay 
                the ultimate price in service to their communities. 
                Last year, 102 firefighters died, and more than 94,500 
                were injured. On Sunday, October 13, 1996, we will pay 
                our respects to these courageous men and women at the 
                National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, 
                Maryland.

                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 October 6 through October 
                12, 1996, as Fire Prevention Week. I encourage the 
                people of the United States to take an active role in 
                fire prevention not only this week, but also throughout 
                the year. I also call upon every citizen to pay tribute 
                to the members of our fire services who have lost their 
                lives or been injured in service to their communities, 
                and to those men and women who carry on their noble 
                tradition.

[[Page 53294]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifth day of October, 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. 96-26225
Filed 10-9-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P