Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3736

123STA T . 3 7 1 6PROCL A M AT I O N84 33 — OCT. 2 , 2 0 0 9Proclam a ti o n843 3o fO cto be r 2, 2 0 0 9ChildHea l t h D a y,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation OurNationh a s ano bl i g ation to p ro v i de a c cess to a f fordable , high -q ual- it y health care for all our children . No child should be forced to go w ithout m edical attention because the cost of a doctor visit is too high. H ealthy children are better equipped to combat illness and to perform well in school, impacting their development well into adulthood. On C hild Health D ay, we recogni z e the fundamental importance of health care for our Nation ’ s children, and dedicate our collective energies to support their needs and those of their families. T he responsibility for our children’s health rests with every A merican. P arents and guardians should lead by e x ample. W e must teach our children the importance of healthy eating and a physically active life- style. We can support community programs across America that pro- vide our young people with healthy choices, and ensure that families have the resources necessary to champion the health of their children. F rom outdoor activities to community athletic teams, we can seize op- portunities to increase physical activity in the lives of our children, and promote healthy habits at an early age. When our children ma k e smart, healthy decisions, they are set on the path towards success. A balanced diet, coupled with proper exercise, has proven effective in combating childhood obesity and other chronic illnesses among our Nation’s young people. M ore recently, the lure of indoor distractions has drawn our children away from the athletic fields and outdoor activities that can be part of a healthy lifestyle. We must engage our Nation’s children in behaviors that support their physical fitness, ensure they have access to healthy, affordable food, and empower their families with the information essential for healthy living. As a Nation, we cannot allow our children to fail in reaching their full potential because we fail to meet their basic needs. My Administration has made children’s health a priority, and I was proud to sign the reau- thorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program ( CHIP ) , extend- ing health care to millions of young Americans who were previously uninsured. Today, we celebrate the health of our children and rededi- cate ourselves to providing a bright, healthy future for our Nation’s youth. NOW, TH ER EFORE, I, B ARAC K OBAMA, President of the U nited S tates of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Mon- day, October 5 , 20 0 9 , as Child Health Day. I call upon families, child health professionals, faith-based and com- munity organizations, and governments to help ensure that America’s children stay safe and healthy. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde-