[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8358--APR. 8, 2009

Proclamation 8358 of April 8, 2009
National D.A.R.E. Day, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Drugs, gangs, and violence threaten our children and communities every
day. Today we commemorate Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), a
program that has worked to educate children and protect them from these
problems. National D.A.R.E. Day provides the opportunity to reflect upon
the dangers of drugs, gangs, and violence and to emphasize efforts to
combat these threats.
From inner cities to suburbs and rural communities, gangs and drug
dealers prey upon youth across the United States. Unaware of the dangers
of drug abuse and violence, many youth surrender the promise of a bright
future. Every child lost in this battle represents a tragedy for our
Nation, and we must do more to stop it.
Education efforts to help children avoid drugs and violence must begin
in the home. Parents must be positive role models and take the lead in
advising their children on the effects of drugs on their health and
well-being.
The D.A.R.E. program has worked to educate students about drugs, gangs,
and violence for more than 25 years. Placing law-enforcement personnel
in the classroom, D.A.R.E. provides students with important lessons from
experts and seeks to prepare them for the difficult encounters and
choices they may face.
Today we honor D.A.R.E. for its important work. The efforts of
D.A.R.E.'s instructors and supporters benefit our Nation's children and
are deserving of praise and appreciation. D.A.R.E.'s renewed efforts to
implement science-based programs and to strengthen partnerships among
law enforcement, families, and their communities are particularly worthy
of commendation. Through effective teaching methods and broad
participation, D.A.R.E. can help ensure that every child in America
enjoys the opportunities he or she deserves.

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123 STAT. 3625

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 8, 2009, as National
D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon our youth, parents, educators, law enforcement
personnel, and all the people of the United States to observe this day
with appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth 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.
BARACK OBAMA