[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62943-62944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31220]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62943]]


                Proclamation 7055 of November 22, 1997

                
National Family Caregivers Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During this season of thanksgiving, when we reflect on 
                the many blessings that have been bestowed on us as 
                individuals and as a Nation, we are especially grateful 
                for the love of our families and friends. One of the 
                most profound ways in which that love is expressed is 
                through the generous support provided by caregivers to 
                those who need help if they are to remain in their 
                homes and communities.

                Caregivers reflect family and community life at its 
                best. Thanks to their efforts, Americans with 
                disabilities and a growing number of elderly Americans 
                are able to stay in familiar surroundings and to 
                maintain their dignity and independence. Caregivers not 
                only enhance the quality of life for those they serve, 
                but also greatly reduce the demands on the formal 
                system of caregiving services in our Nation.

                The statistics describing caregivers in America today 
                tell an extraordinary story of generosity and 
                compassion. Nearly one in four households is involved 
                in caring for a relative or other loved one in need, 
                providing a range of assistance from personal care to 
                household help to transportation. Thirty percent of 
                caregivers are caring for two or more people, and 64 
                percent hold down jobs while providing such care. 
                Caregivers share not only their time, but also their 
                resources, spending some $2 billion a month of their 
                own assets for groceries, medicine, and other aid.

                There is another side to caregiving in America today. 
                Many older relatives now take care of children whose 
                parents, for whatever reason, are no longer able to 
                provide that care themselves. These generous men and 
                women, who in many cases have already raised families 
                and are looking forward to pursuing their own interests 
                in retirement, embrace the challenges of parenting a 
                new generation of young people. They give millions of 
                our most vulnerable youth the opportunity to grow up in 
                stable, loving homes.

                These everyday heroes among us deserve our lasting 
                gratitude and respect. This week, as we honor the many 
                contributions that family caregivers make to the 
                quality of our national life, let us resolve to work 
                through our community, religious, social, business, and 
                other organizations to offer programs and services that 
                will provide caregivers the support and encouragement 
                they need to carry out their vital responsibilities.

                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 November 23 through November 
                29, 1997, as National Family Caregivers Week. I call 
                upon Government officials, businesses, communities, 
                educators, volunteers, and all the people of the United 
                States to acknowledge the invaluable efforts of 
                caregivers this week and throughout the year.

[[Page 62944]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-second day of November, 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. 97-31220
Filed 11-24-97; 11:55 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P