[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 38 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Pages 1328-1329]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7465--National Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Week, 2001

 September 17, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Our Nation's agriculture industry represents 13 percent of our 
economy and remains central to our prosperity at home and our 
competitiveness abroad. At the core of this industry are countless 
dedicated farmers and ranchers working to produce food stuffs at a level 
of efficiency and quality unrivaled around the globe. In many ways, 
agriculture ranks among the most crucial of our Nation's industries; and 
yet, its reliability and productivity are often taken for granted.
    Our farmers and ranchers face significant challenges and 
uncertainty, from inclement weather to damaging insects. They also face 
health and safety dangers, from exposure to chemicals and the operation 
of machinery to tending livestock. In 1999, the agriculture industry 
suffered more than 770 deaths and 150,000 disabling injuries. Of these 
victims, many were children and young people injured or killed in 
preventable farm and ranch accidents.
    Progress is being made in developing technology that makes farm and 
ranch work safer. Safety equipment features for tractors, such as roll-
over protective structures, bypass starter covers, and hazard warning 
lights, aid in the prevention of injuries and save lives. Sunscreens, 
hearing protection devices, and other personal protective equipment 
reduce the serious health problems caused by toxic gases, chemicals, and 
harsh environmental conditions. We must increase awareness of the 
availability of safety and health protection measures. I encourage 
farmers and ranchers to develop safety and health plans that meet the 
needs of their businesses, families, and employees. Safety equipment 
should be installed, maintained regularly, and used consistently. 
Children also must be taught to recognize risks on the farm and ranch 
and to help with chores safely.
    Despite many hazards and uncertainties, America's farmers and 
ranchers remain among the most dedicated and productive contributors to 
our Nation's economy. I am committed to supporting the American farmer 
and rancher, and my Administration will help those facing financial 
difficulties caused by storms, droughts, or any other unforseen natural 
catastrophe. In times of emergency, farmers and ranchers will get the 
assistance they need, when they need it. I recently signed a $5.5 
billion agriculture supplemental bill that affirms my commitment to 
maintaining a strong and healthy agricultural economy.
    My Administration also will support tax-deferred savings accounts to 
help farming and ranching families guard against downturns. To keep 
farms and ranches in a family from generation to generation, we are 
eliminating the death tax. Finally, farmers and ranchers need foreign 
markets to sell their products, and I will work hard to ensure that 
agriculture is a top priority in future trade negotiations.
    Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to our farmers and ranchers for 
helping to ensure stability in our economy, for providing

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food products that amply meet all our citizens' needs, and for 
representing what is best about America. They show the character and 
values that have made this country strong, values of love and family, 
faith in God, and respect for nature. We honor them by encouraging safe 
farming and ranching practices that improve and protect the lives of all 
farmers and ranchers.
    Now, Therefore I, George W. Bush, 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 week of September 16 
through September 22, 2001, as National Farm and Ranch Safety and Health 
Week. I call upon agriculture-related agencies, organizations, and 
businesses to strengthen their commitment to provide quality safety and 
health training to farmers, ranchers, and their families. I also call 
upon citizens to recognize the sacrifice and dedication of those 
individuals and communities whose work in agriculture provides the 
quality food that we enjoy.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:17 p.m., September 
18, 2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 19.