[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 27, 1992]
[Pages 2029-2030]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Preventive Health Amendments of 1992
October 27, 1992

    Today I am signing into law H.R. 3635, the ``Preventive Health 
Amendments of 1992.'' The primary purpose of this legislation is to 
authorize appropriations for, and make amendments to, the Preventive 
Health and Health Services Block Grant (Prevention Block Grant) 
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
    My Administration is committed to the importance of preventive 
health services. Support of prevention programs is a sound investment in 
our future. H.R. 3635 authorizes programs that will provide States with 
funding needed to target their prevention efforts as effectively as 
possible toward reducing some of the Nation's most pressing health 
problems.
    H.R. 3635 will authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1997 for 
the Prevention Block Grant. This block grant is important for funding 
activities intended to achieve

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the national health objectives for the year 2000. The Prevention Block 
Grant represents an effective means of financing activities designed to 
reduce the burden of disease and premature death in this country.
    This legislation will also continue HHS programs to prevent lead 
poisoning in children. Lead poisoning is the most common and societally 
devastating environmental disease of young children. This program 
enables us to identify children who have lead levels in their blood high 
enough to impair their health and to refer them to the help they need.
    I am gratified to see health legislation that focuses on prevention. 
I applaud the cooperative effort that made it possible.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
October 27, 1992.

                    Note: H.R. 3635, approved October 27, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-531.