[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9481 of August 31, 2016

National Preparedness Month, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans have been tested by trial and tragedy since our earliest
days--but year after year, no matter the hardship, we pull through and
forge ahead. Fifteen years after the attacks of September 11, we reflect
on our strength as a Nation when anything threatens us. Today, as the
residents of Louisiana mourn the loss of loved ones and face tremendous
damage caused by historic floods, we are reminded of what Americans do
in times like these--we see the power of love and community among
neighbors who step up to help in extraordinarily difficult
circumstances. Preparing ourselves to meet the unknown challenges of
tomorrow is a duty we all share, and when confronted with crisis or
calamity, we need to have done everything possible to prepare. During
National Preparedness Month, we emphasize the importance of readying
ourselves and our communities to be resilient in the face of any
emergency we may encounter.
Although my Administration continues doing everything we can to keep the
American people safe, it is each citizen's responsibility to be as
prepared as possible for emergencies. Whether in the form of natural
disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, or unspeakable acts of evil
like terrorism, danger can arise at unexpected times and places.
Fortunately, there are many things that individuals, families, and
communities can do to improve their readiness. I encourage all Americans
to take proactive steps to prepare for any situation that may occur--
including signing up for local alerts, checking insurance coverage,
documenting valuables, creating a plan for emergency communication and
evacuation, and having a fully stocked disaster supply kit on hand. And
I encourage those in the business community to prepare their employees,
develop a business continuity plan, and engage in community-level
planning to help ensure our communities and private sector remain strong
when faced with an emergency. For information on how to better prepare
for emergencies that are common in your area, or to learn about
resources that may be available for increasing preparedness, visit
www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov.
In the face of unpredictable threats and hazards, we are committed to
improving access to information and raising awareness of the importance
of precautionary measures. Leaders across our country should take the
time to review the 2016 National Preparedness Report and find ways to
address the vulnerabilities it highlights. All Americans can play a role
in fulfilling our National Preparedness Goal by addressing the risks
that affect them and participating in preparedness activities across our
Nation.

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We continue to collaborate with State, local, and tribal partners, along
with those in the public and private sectors, to ensure that communities
in crisis do not have to face these dangers alone. In addition to
coordinating relief efforts and providing rapid response, we have
focused on supporting the needs of survivors, investing in affected
neighborhoods, and helping them rebuild their communities to be better,
stronger, and more resilient. Federal agencies are also working to share
resources with the public, promote the tools and technologies that could
help during disasters, and offer preparation strategies. We launched
America's PrepareAthon! to bring communities together and help them plan
for emergencies, and on September 30, we encourage a national day of
action to spur preparedness efforts from coast to coast.
Disasters have become more frequent and severe as our climate changes;
both urban and rural areas are already feeling the devastating
consequences, including severe droughts and higher sea levels, intense
storms and wildfires, and more powerful hurricanes and heat waves.
Climate change poses an imminent and lasting threat to our safety and
national security, and it is critical that we invest in our
infrastructure and integrate the preparedness efforts of our communities
to improve our ability to respond to and recover from the effects of our
changing climate and extreme weather events.
This month, we pay tribute to the courageous individuals who rush to the
scene of disaster for their dedication to our safety and security, no
matter the price. Let us recognize that each of us can do our part to
prepare for emergencies, help those affected by disasters, and ensure
all our people have the necessary resources and knowledge to protect
themselves. Together, we will remain strong and resilient no matter what
befalls us.
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 September 2016 as
National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans to recognize the
importance of preparedness and work together to enhance our resilience
and readiness.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of
August, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
BARACK OBAMA