In gratitude to those who contribute to the high quality of agricultural products produced in the United States, and in recognition of the role of agriculture in our daily life and our life as a Nation, the Congress, by Public Law 102-468, has designated the week of February 21-27, 1993, as "American Wine Appreciation Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of February 21-27, 1993, as "American Wine Appreciation Week." I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninetythree, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth. Proclamation 6531 of February 25, 1993 WILLIAM J. CLINTON National FFA Organization Awareness Week, 1993 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America's roots run deep in agriculture. We have long prospered through the twin blessings of our natural resources and the productivity of the American farmer. Agriculture has contributed heavily to the economic and social progress of the United States, making our Nation the world's largest exporter of food products and a generous provider of food aid around the world. For more than two centuries, our food, agricultural, and natural resource system has been nurtured and sustained by dedicated people committed to providing safe and abundant food and fiber products. About 20 percent of the Nation's work force is engaged in jobs related to agriculture, and annual employment openings in this industry are expected to outpace the supply of trained workers. The education and training of agricultural workers have, therefore, long been a national priority, leading to the development of a comprehensive system of agricultural education in our public schools. The National Future Farmers of America was founded in 1928 to serve the needs of secondary students preparing for leadership roles in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. Chartered by Congress in 1950, the FFA is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture and today provides premier leadership, personal growth, and career development to its 401,574 members. Local, State, and national activities as well as award programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills acquired through agricultural education. FFA members strive to develop agricultural leadership, cooperation, and citizenship. The National FFA Foundation, which raises funds in support of FFA programs, represents an exemplary partnership between business and education. The National FFA Alumni Association provides support to these young men and women on local, State, and national levels. The strategic importance of our food, agricultural, and natural resource system will grow during the coming decade. This will require even stronger leaders, more creative scientists, greater international business understanding, and increased sensitivity for consumers and the environment. These skilled professionals will chart the course of U.S. food, agricultural, and natural resources in the 1990s and beyond. The National FFA Organization, by attracting young people to agriculture and preparing them for future careers, contributes greatly to an important sector of the national economy. It is proper that we should honor the accomplishments and achievements of this fine organization. The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 101, has designated the week of February 21 through February 27, 1993, as "National FFA Organization Awareness Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of February 21 through February 27, 1993, as National FFA Organization Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans in rural, urban, and suburban communities to join in recognizing the achievements and contributions of the young men and women of the National FFA Organization and to observe National FFA Organization Awareness Week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of February, 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 seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6532 of March 5, 1993 Save Your Vision Week, 1993 By the President of the United States of America Vision is a remarkable gift. Providing nearly 40 percent of all sensory input to the brain, our eyes allow us to read, drive, and experience many of life's greatest pleasures. Vision, however, is an extremely fragile gift, one that can dim with injury or the onset of disease. Moreover, it is a gift that, with few exceptions, cannot be restored once it is lost. Thus, given the important but delicate nature of good vision in our lives, it is tragic that each year thousands of Americans suffer vision loss that might have been prevented. Having a periodic eye examination is an effective and simple way for most of us to prevent this tragedy from occurring in our lives. A comprehensive eye examination can provide an early warning of developing eye disease and allow an eye care professional the opportunity to initiate appropriate treatment. Both glaucoma and diabetes are potentially blinding diseases that can be controlled and treated effectively, if detected early. However, each remains a leading cause of blindness in the United States. People at high risk for glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40 and everyone over the age of 60, should receive an eye examination at least every two years to reduce the risk of blindness. For people with diabetes, a regular eye examination is an absolute necessity. People with diabetes who have their eyes examined through dilated pupils at least once a year take a responsible preventive measure in protecting their vision. Children also need early and regular eye examination. Even the seemingly healthiest child may have an unsuspected visual problem that needs prompt attention. A routine checkup can identify such disorders in time for effective treatment, sparing the child a lifetime of visual impairment. Guarding against eye injuries is important for all members of our society. Both in the home and workplace, people should wear appropriate face masks, goggles, or safety glasses when working with chemicals or machinery that might be dangerous to the eyes. If possible, athletes should also wear protective eye wear, and children should be taught the basic principles of eye safety from an early age. To encourage Americans to cherish and protect their vision, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 169a), has authorized and requested the President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as "Save Your Vision Week." NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning March 7, 1993, as Save Your Vision Week. I urge all Americans to participate in the observance by making eye care and eye safety an important part of their lives. Also, I invite eye care professionals, the communications media, and all public and private organizations committed to the goal of sight conservation to join in activities that will make Americans more aware of the steps they can take to protect their vision. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of March, 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 seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6533 of March 6, 1993 Irish-American Heritage Month, 1993 By the President of the United States of America The story of the Irish in America, of those millions of Americans who trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle, is typical of so many American immigrants, yet is also uniquely influenced by the rich culture of Ireland. Like so many of our forebears, they came to this land seeking a better future. In the process of becoming Americans, they changed themselves, changed America, and changed the world. By 1776, 300,000 natives of Ireland had already emigrated to the Colonies. They fought bravely in the American Revolution and helped to establish a new Nation. Eight signatories of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish origin. In the early years of the young Republic, as workers on the canals and railroads, they played a major role in the settlement of the West. However, it was not until the great potato famine of the late 1840s that the trickle of Irish immigration became a flood. More than one million Irish men and women came to the United States during that period. They moved primarily into our great cities, which they quickly transformed into the bustling beehives of activity that they have been ever since. Confronted by prejudice and sign after sign proclaiming "No Irish Need Apply," the new immigrants immersed themselves in the politics of such cities as New York, Boston, and Chicago. In fact, the political legacy of the Irish-American community may well be the most important of all its contributions to our Nation. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, as well as 16 other Presidents, have proudly proclaimed their Irish-American heritage. America has been blessed by the leadership of other Irish Americans as well, including Mike Mansfield, Tip O'Neill, and Tom Foley in the Congress, and Al Smith, Ray Flynn, and Richard Daley at the State and local levels. However, the contributions of Irish Americans go well beyond politics. In Washington, D.C., alone, James Hoban designed and supervised the construction of the White House and assisted in the construction of the Capitol; Colonel Thomas Lincoln Casey completed the construction of the Washington Monument after it had been abandoned during the Civil War; and William Wilson Corcoran founded the gallery that now bears his name. Irish Americans have also enriched the culture of their adopted land. Whether we think of Finley Peter Dunne, who satirized politics in the early 20th century; Jimmy Breslin, who has done much the same more recently; or Eugene O'Neill, one of the great playwrights of all time, the Irish contribution to American literature is broad and deep. In the performing arts, composer George M. Cohan, dancer Gene Kelly, and actress Grace Kelly have come to symbolize America to the world. In tribute to all Irish Americans, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 500, has designated March 1993 as "Irish-American Heritage Month" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this month. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 1993 as IrishAmerican Heritage Month. I urge all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of March, 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 seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Editorial note: For the President's remarks at the American-Ireland Fund dinner and his remarks at a Saint Patrick's Day ceremony, see the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 29, pp. 440, 442). Proclamation 6534 of March 6, 1993 To Revoke Proclamation No. 6491 of October 14, 1992 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation WHEREAS, the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act of March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1494, as amended), and the provisions of all other acts, Executive orders, proclamations, rules, regulations, or other directives providing for the payment of locally prevailing wages, which provisions are dependent upon determinations by the Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act, were suspended by Proclamation No. 6491 of October 14, 1992, within specified geographic areas affected by Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki until otherwise provided; NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, do by this Proclamation revoke Proclamation No. 6491 of October 14, 1992, as to all construction contracts for which bids are opened or negotiations concluded on or after fifteen (15) days after the date of this Proclamation, whether direct Federal construction or federally assisted construction subject to Proclamation No. 6491. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of March, 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 seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON |