Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 97.djvu/1585

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PROCLAMATION 5025—MAR. 7, 1983 97 STAT. 1553 to observe the week with appropriate activities supporting television pro- grams which are attentive to the needs and interests of children. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventh. RONALD REAGAN Proclamation 5025 of March 7, 1983 National Poison Prevention Week, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The annual observance of National Poison Prevention Week affords com- munities across America a special opportunity to increase citizen aware- ness of the dangers of accidental poisoning. In recent years the number of poisonings among children has fallen dra- matically, due in large measure to the introduction of child-protective pack- aging. At the community level, poison centers are an essential resource in reducing the incidence of serious injury resulting from accidental ingestions. By providing timely diagnostic and treatment information to medical practi- tioners and first aid instruction to anxious parents, poison centers have successfully worked to save lives. While poison centers have proved invaluable, they often provide "after-the- fact" treatment. This year, National Poison Prevention Week will under- score the equally important role poison centers can play in preventing child poisonings "before the fact." Working together as sponsors of National Poison Prevention Week are na- tional medical, pharmacy, nursing, dental, and hospital associations; health and safety groups; organizations representing manufacturers, packagers, and distributors of consumer products, including medicines; the media; and government agencies. Most of these groups have State and local chapters and affiliates that, along with community organizations, are the backbone of what has become a successful nationwide poison prevention program. To aid in encouraging the American people to learn of the dangers of acci- dental poisoning and to take appropriate preventive measures, the Con- gress, by a joint resolution approved September 26, 1961 (75 Stat. 681}, re- 36 USC 165. quested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the third week in March as National Poison Prevention Week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning March 20, 1983, as Na- tional Poison Prevention Week. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventh. RONALD REAGAN