[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20215-20216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07920]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 65 / Thursday, April 4, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 20215]]


                Proclamation 8949 of March 29, 2013

                
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America is a country where all of us should be able to 
                pursue our own measure of happiness and live free from 
                fear. But for the millions of children who have 
                experienced abuse or neglect, it is a promise that goes 
                tragically unfulfilled. National Child Abuse Prevention 
                Month is a time to make their struggle our own and 
                reaffirm a simple truth: that no matter the challenges 
                we face, caring for our children must always be our 
                first task.

                Realizing that truth in our society means ensuring 
                children know they are never alone--that they always 
                have a place to go and there are always people on their 
                side. Parents and caregivers play an essential part in 
                giving their children that stability. But we also know 
                that keeping our children safe is something we can only 
                do together, with the help of friends and neighbors and 
                the broader community. All of us bear a responsibility 
                to look after them, whether by lifting children toward 
                their full potential or lending a hand to a family in 
                need.

                Our Government shares in that obligation, which is why 
                my Administration has made addressing child abuse a 
                priority. Since I took office, we have advocated for 
                responsible parenting and invested in programs that can 
                give our sons and daughters a strong start in life. I 
                was also proud to sign measures into law that equip 
                State and local governments with the tools to take on 
                abuse, like the CAPTA Reauthorization Act and the 
                Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.

                Together, we are making important progress in stopping 
                child abuse and neglect. But we cannot let up--not when 
                children are still growing up looking for a lifeline, 
                and not when more than half a million young people are 
                robbed of their basic right to safety every year. So 
                this month, let us stand up for them and make their 
                voices heard. To learn more about ending child abuse 
                and how to get involved, visit www.ChildWelfare.gov/Preventing Preventing.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 2013 as 
                National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this month with programs and 
                activities that help prevent child abuse and provide 
                for children's physical, emotional, and developmental 
                needs.

[[Page 20216]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-07920
Filed 4-3-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3