1993 Compilation— Presidential Documents PROCLAMATIONS Proclamation 6521 of January 4, 1993 National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 1993 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Americans have demonstrated their commitment to the belief "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This tradition of generosity and reverence for human life stands in marked contrast with the prevalence of abortion in America today-some 1.5 million children lost each year; more than 4,000 each day. This is shocking evidence of just how far we have strayed from our Nation's most cherished values and beliefs. Thus we pause on this National Sanctity of Human Life Day to call attention to the tragedy of abortion and to recognize the many individuals who are working to restore respect for human life in our Nation. Advances in science and technology have offered us tremendous new insight on life in the womb: parents can now hear their unborn child's heartbeat as early as 8 weeks of age; physicians can monitor the baby's development using high-resolution sonography; and they may even diagnose and treat abnormalities before birth. How terribly ironic it is that, at one hospital or clinic, an unborn child may be carefully treated as a patient, while at another facility—perhaps just a few blocks away-another innocent child may become a victim of abortion. Recognizing the tragedy of abortion and the feelings of desperation that lead some women to make such a painful, devastating choice, concerned individuals throughout the United States are working to help women choose life for their unborn children. On this occasion we recognize the many generous Americans who-with nothing to gain for themselves reach out to women in need through crisis pregnancy centers, residential facilities, mentoring programs, and a host of other support services. We also recognize the many social services professionals, attorneys, and counselors who assist in promoting the adoption option, and we salute each of the courageous women who make this unselfish choice for their children. Such works of generosity and compassion are saving lives and, yes, slowly but surely turning hearts-one woman, one couple, one community at a time. The struggle to overcome abortion in the United States-to educate individuals about life in the womb, to restore reverence for the miracle of creation, and to expand alternatives for women in need-is far from ended. While the struggle may be a long and difficult one, many Americans know that it is a cause from which we cannot retreat. And because it is a cause that appeals directly to the conscience of the Nation-a Nation that has, time and again, demonstrated its capacity to rediscover its highest ideals, ideals rooted in our belief in the God-given rights and dignity of every human being-it is a cause that cannot fail. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE 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 Sunday, January 17, 1993, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the sanctity of human life in all its stages and to gather in homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life and to reaffirm our commitment to respect the life and dignity of every human being. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of January, 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. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6522 of January 5, 1993 Braille Literacy Week, 1993 By the President of the United States of America Standardized for use in the United States in 1932, braille is the primary tactile system for reading and writing used by blind individuals today. The braille system uses raised dots to represent the letters of the alphabet, symbols of punctuation, mathematic and scientific characters, music and computer notation, and foreign language signs. Through braille, a person who is visually impaired is given the key to unlock the power of the written word. Braille enables blind individuals to achieve the many rewards of literacy, including educational advancement, personal independence, and economic opportunity and security. Braille also enables its users to enjoy the full form, structure, and beauty of printed poetry and prose. Over the past 60 years, the braille system has continued to open doors of learning and opportunity for blind Americans. This week we acknowledge the importance of braille and recognize the many dedicated individuals who teach and promote this system as a tool of achievement. The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 353, has designated the week of January 3 through January 9, 1993, as "Braille Literacy Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of January 3 through January 9, 1993, as Braille Literacy Week and invite all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of January, 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. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6523 of January 5, 1993 National Law Enforcement Training Week, 1993 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The effectiveness of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency depends on knowledgeable, well-trained, and highly qualified personnel. Building such a force requires rigorous education and training, not only before an officer earns the badge, but also throughout his or her career. Whether intervening in a violent domestic dispute, apprehending a suspected drug dealer, or assisting at the site of a traffic accident, law enforcement officers are often required to make split-second decisions that could mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, in addition to knowledge of criminal statutes and fundamental rules of procedure, law enforcement training encompasses basic skills on which an officer's survival and other human lives depend. From physical conditioning and self-defense techniques to the safe use of firearms, such training ensures that an officer is prepared to maintain law and order while, at the same time, protecting the rights and safety of individual citizens. As law enforcement agencies employ increasingly sophisticated technology and techniques in the fight against crime, the need for highly specialized education and training continues to increase as well. Today an officer's training in traditional investigative methods may also include more advanced studies in ballistics, toxicology, computer science, psychology, and other complex fields. For the veteran as well as the rookie, for the administrator behind the desk as well as the officer on the beat-continuing education and training are essential to meeting new challenges in police work. All Americans benefit from programs that contribute to the knowledge, professionalism, and skill of our Nation's law enforcement officers, and this week we gratefully salute the dedicated individuals whose instruction and guidance assist officers in the performance of their duties. We also recognize the many rewarding career opportunities that are available to young people in law enforcement and related occupations, and encourage parents and teachers to make the observance of this week a rewarding learning opportunity for children-one that instills in them a healthy respect for the law and for the courageous men and women who are pledged to defend it. In order to heighten public awareness of the importance of law enforcement training and its related fields, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 304, has designated the week of January 3 through January 9, 1993, as "National Law Enforcement Training Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning January 3, 1993, as National Law Enforcement Training Week. I invite all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of January, 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. GEORGE BUSH Editorial note: For the President's remarks to law enforcement organizations, see the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 29, p. 592). Proclamation 6524 of January 11, 1993 Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 1993 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation By setting aside a day in honor of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our Nation reaffirms its commitment to the noble goals for which he labored and eventually gave his life: equal opportunity and justice for all. Throughout his quest to end racial segregation in the United States and to promote understanding and respect among all people, Martin Luther King urged America to fulfill its promise and its potential-as a Nation dedicated to the belief "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Always mindful of those words from our Declaration of Independence, Dr. King viewed his work as a must-win struggle for the soul and future of the Nation. He knew that efforts to promote far-reaching social change, in a peaceful, nonviolent manner, would require patience, determination, and sacrifice. Yet, despite experiencing stubborn opposition, imprisonment, and even threats to his life, he also believed that the civil rights movement would prevail. "We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the Nation," he wrote to his followers from jail, "because the goal of America is freedom. . . . our destiny is tied up with America's destiny." With his inspired leadership and eloquent appeals to all who would listen, Martin Luther King set in motion a ground swell of change in the United States. The Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were critical milestones in the fight for equality under the law. Although Dr. King's assassination in 1968 at the age of 39 prevented his living to see the fulfillment of his dreams for America, his legacy has continued to challenge and inspire us. Over the years the United States has continued to eliminate legal and attitudinal barriers that have, in the past, limited opportunities on the basis of race. We must go on striving to realize Dr. King's vision of an America where individuals are "not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." While government plays a critical role in the fight against discrimination through the enforcement of civil rights laws and its own hiring practices, our efforts to promote racial harmony and justice in the United States must begin at home. Martin Luther King described the family as the "main educational agency of mankind," and it is within the family that we must first teach lessons about love and fairness, decency and kindness, and the difference between right and wrong. We honor the legacy of Martin Luther King when we show our children, by word and example, what it means to lead "a committed life”—a life dedicated to excellence and to the service of one's fellowman. We equip our children for such a life when we encourage them to recognize their own self-worth, as well as the inherent rights and worth of others. "Every man is somebody," declared Dr. King, "because he is a child of God." A minister by vocation, Martin Luther King sought righteous hearts as well as just laws. He warned that humankind suffered from "a poverty of the spirit which stands in stark contrast to our scientific and technological abundance." In this last decade of the 20th century, as we marvel at the historic achievements of the past 100 years and anticipate the many to come, let us enrich our children with a wealth of encouragement, hope, and moral guidance and with living examples of racial comity and friendship. By Public Law 98-144, the third Monday in January of each year has been designated as a legal public holiday. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE 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 Monday, January 18, 1993, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of January, 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. GEORGE BUSH |