[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 14 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Page 541]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6781--National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1995

April 4, 1995

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Childhood should be a special time. Every child should grow up in an 
atmosphere of love and respect. Children should have a chance to learn, 
to explore and develop, to look forward to becoming successful, happy, 
and loving adults. Yet tragically, for a growing number of children in 
the United States, childhood is an ordeal of violence, pain, and broken 
promises--a time to endure, not one to cherish.
    Child abuse and neglect in America are on the rise. Nationwide, 
nearly 3 million children are reported abused and neglected each year, 
and more than 1,200 die from the effects. Although public concern about 
violence against our Nation's youth is extremely high, many Americans 
don't know what role they can play in protecting them. For that reason, 
each April, communities across the country join together to raise public 
awareness, to call for an end to child abuse, and to let everyone know 
what they can do to help.
    This year, National Child Abuse Prevention Month focuses on the 
simple truth, ``The more you help, the less they hurt.'' The goal is to 
teach all Americans how they can help end the cycle of abuse and neglect 
that tears at the very fabric of our families, our communities, and our 
country. Because the effects of child abuse are felt by whole 
communities, the search for solutions must be a community-wide effort--
and every citizen must get involved.
    Child abuse prevention efforts succeed because of partnerships among 
social service agencies, schools, religious organizations, law 
enforcement agencies, and the business community. I encourage you to get 
involved. Volunteer on a crisis hotline for parents who are under 
stress, or help start a parents' support group. Perhaps you could find 
space in your community to establish a ``drop-in center'' where parents 
can get information and support. You could urge your religious or 
neighborhood group to sponsor a home visitor program for new parents. Or 
you might help your local school and youth organizations arrange for 
speakers and events about preventing violence against children.
    These are just some of the steps we can take to help protect our 
children and to strengthen our families. If we don't change things, our 
children--more of them each day--will lose their chance at life. And our 
Nation will lose the tremendous potential that every young life holds.
    America's children are products of the world we have made for them. 
Their well-being is a reflection of our commitment, maturity, and 
wisdom. If we nurture our children and fill their lives with genuine 
caring and respect, we will see our love realized in a world of enduring 
hope and promise.
    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 month 
of April 1995 as ``National Child Abuse Prevention Month.'' I call upon 
all Americans during this month and throughout the year to help keep our 
children safe from harm.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
nineteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:18 p.m., April 5, 
1995]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on April 5, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
April 7.