[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 15 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Pages 634-635]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6881--National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 1996

April 8, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America is a country of many blessings--a rich land, a thriving 
democracy, a diverse and determined people. Our culture is built on 
faith in freedom and on the spirit of community. In a Nation of such 
infinite promise, the continuing problem of child abuse is a national 
tragedy. When any American child experiences the horrors of physical or 
emotional abuse, the future of our Nation also suffers. We must always 
remember that today's children will be tomorrow's leaders, educators, 
and parents, and we must help them to look forward with hope and 
enthusiasm to the future.
    My Administration is working hard to make this country a better 
place for all our children. Although domestic violence and child abuse 
are primarily matters for State and local authorities, we have taken 
significant steps at the Federal level to prevent the conditions that 
can lead to abuse. Both the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and 
the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 contain 
provisions that help communities identify offenders who may pose a 
threat to children's well-being.
    In addition, our Family Preservation and Family Support Services 
were designed to give parents the tools they need to keep their families 
intact and raise healthy, happy children. These include parenting 
classes, programs that send a visitor to the homes of first-time parents 
to provide support and guidance, and early developmental screening of 
children. Bipartisan support for this initiative--the first Federal 
investment in child welfare protection in more than a decade--has 
enabled States to use resources flexibly and creatively to strengthen 
families and work to reduce child abuse.
    But government alone cannot end mistreatment. Social service 
agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, 
businesses, and concerned citizens are all working to help children live 
up to their full potential. These efforts to provide loving and 
protective environments for our Nation's children exemplify the finest 
traditions of service and compassion. This month and throughout the 
year, let us each do everything we can to strengthen families and ease 
the pain of abused children. Together, we can make an investment in the 
future by putting the needs of our most precious and vulnerable citizens 
first.
    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

[[Page 635]]

States, do hereby proclaim April 1996, as National Child Abuse 
Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with 
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities that raise awareness of 
the need to help our children lead happy, productive lives.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of 
April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twentieth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:07 a.m., April 9, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
10.