[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 50 (Monday, December 20, 1993)]
[Pages 2589-2590]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6639--National Firefighters Day, 1993 December 14, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    This year our Nation's firefighters will respond to more than 
2,300,000 fires and 8,700,000 additional emergencies. They will, as they 
do every year, save thousands of lives and millions of dollars worth of 
property through their dedicated efforts. Their job is, by far, one of 
the Nation's most dangerous, and their sacrifices are many.
    In an average year, 110 firefighters are killed in the line of duty. 
Fully 50 percent of all firefighters are injured in valiant service each 
year. Although the work of these brave men and women is not often 
adequately recognized, they are quite often the very first people we can 
expect to respond--day or night--when the safety of our lives or our 
homes is in jeopardy.
    At a time when our Nation is rededicating itself to the idea of 
caring for others, it is important that we recognize those who daily 
risk--and sometimes forfeit--their lives to help their fellow Americans. 
Our Nation offers special thanks to its firefighters on December 15th, 
``National Firefighters Day.'' Let this be a day to remember the men and 
women who protect us and who have given their lives in the line of duty. 
They all are heroes. By honoring them, we pay special tribute to the 
spirit of community and unselfishness that is such an integral part of 
their character. Firefighters are inspirational examples for all of us 
and are worthy of our highest praise for their tireless devotion to 
fulfilling their sacred responsibilities to society.
    Let us also thank the generous members of the many organizations 
that constantly work toward the mutual goals of firefighter health and 
safety.
    To enhance public awareness of the courage and supreme devotion of 
our Nation's firefighters, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 272, 
has designated December 15, 1993, as National Firefighters Day, and has 
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
observance of this occasion.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim December 15, 1993, as National 
Firefighters Day. I call upon all public officials and the people of the 
United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of December, 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, 2:01 p.m., December 15, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on December 15, and it was published in the Federal Register 
on December 17.

[[Page 2590]]