[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 53529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27492]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 15, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 53529]]

                Proclamation 7037 of October 10, 1997

                
White Cane Safety Day, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As we stand at the dawn of the 21st century, new 
                technologies are rapidly changing and improving the 
                lives of Americans. For one group of Americans in 
                particular--those who are blind or visually impaired--
                these technologies have opened doors to unparalleled 
                opportunities. Blind Americans now can more readily 
                access information of all kinds, and these advances 
                have brought important improvements to the education, 
                careers, and daily lives of blind and visually impaired 
                people.

                In this time of extraordinary progress, however, the 
                simple yet profoundly useful white cane remains an 
                indispensable tool and symbol of independence that has 
                afforded countless blind and visually impaired citizens 
                the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. And so, 
                as we all share in a new era of expanded technological 
                innovations that improve the lives of all of our 
                Nation's citizens, we also celebrate the white cane for 
                its ability to empower and recognize it as the 
                embodiment of freedom.

                As a Nation, let us also reassert our commitment to 
                ensuring equal opportunity, equal access, and full 
                participation of citizens with disabilities in our 
                community life. This year, we celebrated the 
                reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                Education Act, reaffirming our belief that all students 
                can learn and must have the opportunities and resources 
                necessary to do so. And we must continue to enforce 
                vigorously the Americans with Disabilities Act, so that 
                our blind and visually impaired fellow citizens enjoy 
                equal opportunity, access to public and private 
                services and accommodations, and a workplace free of 
                discrimination.

                To honor the numerous achievements of blind and 
                visually impaired citizens and to recognize the 
                significance of the white cane in advancing 
                independence, the Congress, by joint resolution 
                approved October 6, 1964, has designated October 15 of 
                each year as ``White Cane Safety Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 
                15, 1997, as White Cane Safety Day. I call upon the 
                people of the United States, government officials, 
                educators, and business leaders to observe this day 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of October, 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. 97-27492
Filed 10-14-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P