[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 46 (Monday, November 22, 1993)]
[Pages 2393-2394]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6626--National Children's Day, 1993

 November 18, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America's children are at once our most precious national resource 
and our most weighty responsibility. They represent our future hopes and 
aspirations. By empowering and supporting America's families today, we 
can make a more secure world for all Americans tomorrow.
    Millions of America's children grow up in stable and loving 
families. At the same time, an alarmingly high number of our youth do 
not have the benefit of such security; many grow up hungry, neglected, 
or abused. Far too many reach adolescence having experienced painful 
episodes of physical, mental, or emotional mistreatment that have long-

[[Page 2394]]

lasting effects. For them, the future can be clouded with doubt or 
despair.
    We all must take it upon ourselves to address these problems and to 
guarantee that children of all families will be given new hope for a 
better life. We must get back to ``being our neighbor's keeper'' when it 
comes to raising children. The plight of our neighborhoods and 
communities must be rectified and replaced with a positive environment 
in which to grow and live in safety. Today's children are frightened and 
worried. We must close the opportunity gap and the responsibility gap 
because all of the children of America deserve an equal chance.
    Parents must make an all-out effort to provide an accepting, caring, 
and loving atmosphere for their children. Grandparents also have an 
important role to play, as do other members of the extended family.
    This is an issue that all Americans can and should support and 
promote. By becoming directly involved and assuming personal 
responsibility, we can strengthen our schools, churches, and communities 
in ways that will reinforce and enhance the importance of values that 
the family structure can provide. This is all the more critical as the 
world becomes an increasingly complex and interrelated place. We must 
interact in the future with any number of new and emerging nations. In 
order to do this successfully, we will need the talent, dedication, and 
best efforts of all of our youth.
    Today's children will also be tomorrow's parents. To preserve the 
American Dream, the fiber of our Nation must be strengthened. By 
instilling a common purpose and assuring ourselves that children are 
receiving the best and most comprehensive care possible, we can face the 
awesome challenges that lie ahead. We can start at the family level to 
bring our country together, solve problems, and make progress.
    So I ask all Americans to reaffirm this Nation's commitment to its 
children. I appeal specifically to parents to spend quality time each 
day with their children, to listen to their concerns and dreams, and to 
guide them well as they make the transition into adolescence and 
adulthood. We have a right and an obligation to make sure our children 
can rise as far and as high as their talents and determination will let 
them.
    The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 139, has designated the 
third Sunday in November as ``National Children's Day'' and has 
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
observance of this day.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim November 21, 1993, as National 
Children's Day. On this day and every day, I urge all Americans to 
express their love, advocacy, and appreciation for their children and 
all children of the world. I invite Federal officials, State and local 
governments, and particularly the American family, to join together in 
observing this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor 
our Nation's children.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day 
of November, 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, 4:27 p.m., November 19, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 19, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on November 23.