[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9745 of May 7, 2018

Be Best Day, 2018

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Be Best Day, we encourage and promote the well-being of children
everywhere. In an increasingly complex and inter-connected world,
nothing is more important than raising the next generation of Americans
to be healthy, happy, productive, and morally responsible adults. This
begins with educating our children about the many critical issues they
must confront in our modern world that affect their ability to lead
balanced and fulfilled lives.
Our Nation's children deserve certain knowledge that they are safe to
grow, learn, and make mistakes. Adults must provide them with the tools
they need to make positive contributions in their schools, with their
friends, and in their communities.
From every corner of our great country, we hear inspiring stories of
Americans rising up to meet the challenges of our time, many of which
have an especially pronounced effect on our children. On the inaugural
Be Best Day, we highlight two of these challenges: negative social media
behavior and the opioid crisis.
Children who spend large amounts of time on social media are more likely
to report mental health issues than those who spend time on non-screen
activities. Technology, of course, plays a critical role in the economic
and social development of our country. We must, however, recognize that
it can also be used to harm. Be Best Day reminds us to emphasize the
importance of using technology in positive ways.
Additionally, opioid dependence, addiction, and abuse are at a point of
crisis in America today. We all share a moral imperative to confront
this crisis, and to help those families and children affected by it. Be
Best Day affords an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance
of healthy children and pregnancies, including the risks neonatal
abstinence syndrome poses to the long-term health of children.
Today, on Be Best Day, let us commit ourselves to the critical task of
building a better future for our children. We redouble our efforts to
promote well-being and acts of encouragement, kindness, and respect. We
highlight the importance of responsible use of social media; and we
confront the crisis of opioid misuse that is robbing so many of our
children of their potential.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 May 7, 2018, as Be
Best Day. I encourage Americans to take time to understand the many
issues children face on a daily basis--both through personal
interactions and through social media. I encourage parents to better
understand the harmful effects of drug misuse on our youth, and also to
find opportunities to support and celebrate our children. I encourage
adults and parents to talk to children, and to get involved in programs
that help educate our youth on the unique challenges related to growing
up in today's world.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.
DONALD J. TRUMP