[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 11069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6230]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 11069]]

                Proclamation 6978 of March 7, 1997

                
National Older Workers Employment Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                American workers age 55 and older represent one of our 
                country's richest resources, and the value of their 
                potential contribution to our society is immense. An 
                estimated 70 percent of all Americans age 55 and older 
                already actively contribute to our common good--by 
                working, by volunteering, and by caring for sick and 
                disabled relatives, friends, and neighbors.

                Despite their qualifications, however, many of these 
                Americans experience serious difficulty finding work if 
                they lose a job or desire new employment. Their search 
                for employment can become increasingly challenging as 
                they grow older.

                Our laws and government agencies can--and do--offer 
                protections, programs, and services for older workers. 
                The Age Discrimination Act, the Older Americans Act, 
                and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act all 
                recognize the unique rights of such employees, and the 
                Department of Labor alone helps thousands of workers 
                each year through efforts such as the Senior Community 
                Service Employment Program.

                But it is up to employers also to recognize the 
                potential of older Americans as employees--to recognize 
                that by every common measure of job performance, older 
                workers are as effective as younger people because of 
                their unique skills, experiences, and judgment. And, it 
                is appropriate that we designate a week to acknowledge 
                that all workers should be judged and employed on the 
                basis of their individual ability to do a job, 
                regardless of age.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me 
                by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do 
                hereby proclaim March 9 through March 15, 1997, as 
                National Older Workers Employment Week, and I urge all 
                employers when they hire new workers to consider 
                carefully the skills and other qualifications of men 
                and women age 55 and older. I also encourage public 
                officials responsible for job placement, training, and 
                related services to intensify their efforts throughout 
                the year to help older workers locate available jobs 
                and training.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-6230
Filed 3-10-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P