[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 41 (Monday, October 13, 1997)]
[Pages 1548-1549]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7040--National Children's Day, 1997

October 10, 1997

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    With the birth of every child, the world becomes new again. Within 
each new infant lies enormous potential--potential for loving, for 
learning, and for making life better for others. But this potential must 
be nurtured. Just as seeds need fertile soil, warm sunshine, and gentle 
rain to grow, so do our children need a caring environment, the security 
of knowing they are loved, and the encouragement and opportunity to make 
the most of their God-given talents. There is no more urgent task before 
us, as a people and as a Nation, than creating such an environment for 
America's children.
    One of the surest ways to do so is to strengthen American families 
and help parents in their efforts to raise healthy, happy children. My 
Administration has worked hard to give parents the tools they need to 
fulfill their crucial responsibilities. We have sought to put tobacco 
and guns out of the reach of children. We are improving the quality of 
our children's schools by making a national commitment to high academic 
and teaching standards. Recognizing the importance of a child's early 
years to his or her development, we have expanded Head Start and 
established Early Head Start for low-income families with children 3 
years old or younger. We have made it easier for millions of parents to 
take time off to be with a sick child without losing their jobs, and to 
keep their health insurance when they change jobs. We have protected 
Medicaid coverage for 36 million Americans, including about 20 million 
children, and the Balanced Budget Act I recently signed into law will 
provide meaningful health care coverage to millions more uninsured 
children.
    But there is still much to be accomplished if we are to ensure that 
America's children grow up to meet their fullest potential. Our next 
important goal must be to build upon our efforts and improve the quality 
and affordability of child care in our Nation. With more people in the 
work force, with more single-parent homes, and with more families in 
which both parents have to work to make ends meet, millions of American 
children are already in some form of day care, and the demand for 
affordable, quality child care is growing. Later this month, the First 
Lady and I will host the White House Conference on Child Care to work 
with and learn from other parents, child care providers and experts, 
business leaders, and economists. Together we will focus on the best 
means to increase the quality, availability, and affordability of child 
care in our Nation.

[[Page 1549]]

    As we observe National Children's Day this year, let us recommit 
ourselves to creating a society where parents can raise healthy, happy 
children; where every newborn is cherished, where every child is 
encouraged to succeed, and where all our young people are free to pursue 
their dreams.
    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 October 
12, 1997, as National Children's Day. I urge all Americans to express 
their love and appreciation for children on this day and on every day 
throughout the year. I invite Federal officials, State and local 
governments, and particularly all American families 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 tenth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-second.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:16 a.m., October 14, 
1997]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 15.