[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 50473-50474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25698]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 50473]]


                Proclamation 7026 of September 19, 1997

                
National Farm Safety and Health Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 From the earliest days of our Nation, the men and 
                women who work the land have held a special place in 
                America's heart, history, and economy. Many of us are 
                no more than a few generations removed from forebears 
                whose determination and hard work on farms and fields 
                helped to build our Nation and shape its values. While 
                the portion of our population directly involved in 
                agriculture has diminished over the years, those who 
                live and work on America's farms and ranches continue 
                to make extraordinary contributions to the quality of 
                our national life and the strength of our economy.

                 The life of a farmer or rancher has never been easy. 
                The work is hard, physically challenging, and uniquely 
                subject to the forces of nature; the chemicals and 
                labor-saving machinery that have helped American 
                farmers become so enormously productive have also 
                brought with them new health hazards; and working with 
                livestock can result in frequent injury to agricultural 
                workers and their families.

                 Fortunately, there are measures we can take to reduce 
                agriculture-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. 
                Manufacturers continue to improve the safety features 
                of farming equipment; protective clothing and safety 
                gear can reduce the exposure of workers to the health 
                threats posed by chemicals, noise, dust, and sun; 
                training in first-aid procedures and access to good 
                health care can often mean the difference between life 
                and death.

                 The key to all these safety measures is education. 
                During National Farm Safety and Health Week, I 
                encourage America's farmers, ranchers, and other 
                agricultural workers to remain alert to the dangers 
                inherent in their livelihood. By learning about and 
                using the latest safety features of farming equipment 
                and vehicles, wearing personal protective gear and 
                clothing, and practicing good preventive health care, 
                they can avoid or reduce many of the hazards they face 
                each day. It is particularly important to teach our 
                young people on farms and ranches about proper safety 
                measures, to provide safe areas where children can 
                play, and to monitor their activities. Their experience 
                and maturity must always be considered before they are 
                allowed to participate in farm or ranch work.

                 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 21 
                through September 27, 1997, as National Farm Safety and 
                Health Week. I call upon government agencies, 
                educational institutions, 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 
                ask agricultural workers to take advantage of available 
                technology, training, and information that can help 
                them prevent injury and illness. I also call upon all 
                Americans to observe Wednesday, September 24, 1997, as 
                a day to focus on the risks facing young people on our 
                Nation's farms and ranches and to reflect during this 
                week on the bounty that we enjoy thanks to the hard 
                work and dedication of America's agricultural workers.

[[Page 50474]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                nineteenth day of September, 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-second.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-25698
Filed 9-24-97; 8:59 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P