[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 64 (Monday, April 6, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 15631-15632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7925]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74 , No. 64 / Monday, April 6, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 15631]]


                Proclamation 8355 of April 1, 2009

                
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation



                When the child next door is maltreated, we all suffer. 
                Every American has a stake in the well-being of our 
                Nation's children. They are members of our communities, 
                and they are our future. National Child Abuse 
                Prevention Month provides the opportunity to underscore 
                our commitment to preventing and responding 
                appropriately to child abuse. This month, we emphasize 
                the importance of understanding child abuse and the 
                need for all Americans to help families overcome this 
                devastating problem.

                The tragedy of child abuse may afflict American 
                children in different ways. Abuse may occur physically, 
                sexually, and emotionally. Child neglect, another form 
                of child maltreatment, may occur physically and 
                emotionally. Understanding the forms of child abuse is 
                critical to preventing and responding to maltreatment.

                A well-informed and strong family is the surest defense 
                against child abuse. To help educate and strengthen 
                families, community members can offer their time and 
                counsel to parents and children who may need 
                assistance. For example, parent support groups provide 
                an organized forum for assistance. More informally, 
                community members may simply offer a helping hand to 
                families under stress. More information about what 
                families and communities can do is available at 
                www.childwelfare.gov/preventing.

                Civic organizations and government also have an 
                important role to play. Civic groups offer essential 
                support through education, assistance to those at risk, 
                and treatment for victims. Government at the local, 
                State, and Federal level must provide funding for 
                services, conduct public education projects, and 
                enforce child abuse laws.

                As we recognize that we all suffer when our children 
                are abused, that we all benefit from mutual concern and 
                care, and that we all have a responsibility to help, 
                more American children will grow up healthy, happy, and 
                with unlimited potential for success.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 April 2009, as National 
                Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens 
                to help prevent and respond to child abuse by 
                strengthening families and contributing to all 
                children's physical, emotional, and developmental 
                needs.

[[Page 15632]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.


                    
                    
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-7925
Filed 4-3-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P