[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 42 (Monday, October 25, 1993)]
[Pages 2135-2136]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6617--National Consumers Week, 1993

 October 21, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    More than ever, as a Nation and as individual consumers, we need to 
make every dollar count. Yet, despite the consumer-oriented quality of 
the U.S. marketplace and the concerted efforts of our law enforcement 
agencies, marketplace fraud drains at least $100 billion from the 
economy every year. The loss is not just in dollars, but in consumer 
confidence--the driving force behind a strong economy.
    Fraud has the greatest impact on the most vulnerable consumers. No 
one, rich or poor, young or old, literate or illiterate, English-
speaking or foreign-speaking, able-bodied or disabled, is exempt. What's 
more, in this electronic global marketplace, fraud has become a 
``borderless crime'' that affects consumers around the world.
    Since 1982, the President has designated one week of the year to 
spotlight consumer education as a vital tool in helping consumers make 
smart shopping decisions. This year, during ``National Consumers Week,'' 
the focus is on fraud. Consumers can protect their resources and end the 
costly drain on the economy by knowing how to spot the signs of fraud 
and where to turn when they suspect fraud.
    If you believe that you have been defrauded, the Better Business 
Bureau, representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, and 
even the media can help you. Exposing fraud not only helps you, but it 
can help prevent others from becoming victims in the future.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, 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 the week 
beginning October 24, 1993, as National Consumers Week. I urge business 
leaders, educators, professionals, public officials, consumer leaders, 
and members of the media to observe this week with appropriate 
activities that em- 

[[Page 2136]]

phasize the important role smart consumers play in keeping our markets 
open, competitive, fair, and honest.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-
three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two 
hundred and eighteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 5:01 p.m., October 21, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 26.