[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 81339-81340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25985]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2023 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 81339]]


                Proclamation 10676 of November 17, 2023

                
National Child's Day, 2023

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation's children are the kite strings that keep 
                our national ambitions aloft--they are the dreamers and 
                doers, who will determine the course of our future. 
                From an early age, young people lead the way by 
                volunteering in their communities, modeling compassion 
                and tolerance, and pushing us to address the critical 
                issues of our time like climate change and gun 
                violence. This generation of young people is the most 
                gifted, tolerant, talented, and educated in American 
                history. They are the reason I am so optimistic about 
                the future. On National Child's Day, we recommit to 
                ensuring that every child has the resources and 
                opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

                That is why my Administration has invested billions of 
                dollars in America's schools. These funds are putting 
                more teachers in our classrooms, supporting tutoring 
                programs, financing building renovations, replacing 
                lead pipes, and more. Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 
                is expanding access to reliable high-speed internet so 
                every student can log on at any time, regardless of 
                their zip code.

                We are also prioritizing the health and safety of our 
                children. By expanding the Child Tax Credit, my 
                Administration cut the child poverty rate nearly in 
                half, and I continue to call on the Congress to 
                reinstate this expansion because no child should grow 
                up in poverty. We are also working to lower the cost of 
                health care and expand access to affordable, nutritious 
                meals for millions of families. My Administration 
                released a national strategy to end hunger and reduce 
                diet-related diseases in America by 2030--including 
                advancing a pathway to provide free, healthy school 
                meals for all children. New vaccines are rolling out 
                that protect children against COVID-19, RSV, and the 
                flu, which you can learn more about at 
                www.vaccines.gov. We are also supporting LGBTQI+ 
                children and families by safeguarding access to health 
                care and preventing harmful so-called ``conversion 
                therapy.'' Further, we are working with State child 
                welfare agencies to make sure LGBTQI+ youth are placed 
                in safe and loving homes. To curb the epidemic of gun 
                violence in America--now the leading cause of death of 
                children in the United States--I was proud to sign into 
                law the most significant gun safety legislation in 
                nearly 30 years. This law will save children's lives, 
                but we cannot stop until we finally pass an assault 
                weapons ban.

                Mental health is just as important as physical health, 
                which is why I am addressing the youth mental health 
                crisis head-on. My Administration has advanced measures 
                to increase the number of school psychologists and 
                counselors available to our kids and to make it easier 
                for schools to use Medicaid to deliver mental health 
                care, including services under the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act. We also proposed a rule 
                that would require insurers to finally cover mental 
                health care just as they do physical care. Further, we 
                must do more to make the internet a safe place for 
                children. I have called on the Congress to limit the 
                personal data that tech companies collect, ban targeted 
                advertising directed at minors, and strengthen 
                protections that safeguard children's health and safety 
                online.

[[Page 81340]]

                Finally, all this progress means little if our children 
                do not inherit a healthy planet. That is why I fought 
                so hard to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark 
                bill that contains the largest investment to tackle 
                climate change in history. The Act will help our 
                children breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water. 
                It is also creating the jobs of the future so our kids 
                can graduate into a strong clean energy economy.

                Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive because 
                when they dream big, our whole Nation is opened to new 
                possibilities. The children of today are the global 
                leaders of tomorrow. That is why this National Child's 
                Day, we recommit to fulfilling the promise of America 
                for every child and building a future worthy of their 
                dreams.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 November 20, 
                2023, as National Child's Day. I call upon all 
                government officials, educators, volunteers, and all 
                the people of the United States of America to observe 
                this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventeenth day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2023-25985
Filed 11-21-23; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P