Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 97.djvu/1649

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PROCLAMATION 5092-SEPT. 6, 1983 97 STAT. 1617 Proclamation 5091 of September 6, 1983 White Cane Safety Day, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation One of the great blessings of life is to be able to move at will from place to place unhampered by fear for one's personal safety. For those who are blind, the white cane helps to make such freedom of movement possible. It enables the blind to use our streets and public facilities with maximum safety and thereby know the joys of self-reliance and independence and ex- perience a more fulfilling life. All Americans should be aware of the significance of the white cane and extend every courtesy and consideration to the men and women who carry it. In this way, we respect the privacy of the visually disabled and contrib- ute to enlarging their mobility and independence. In recognition of the significance of the white cane, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 6, 1964 (78 Stat. 1003), has authorized and re- 36 USC 169d. quested the President to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 15, 1983, as White Cane Safety Day. I urge all Americans to mark this occasion by giving greater consider- ation to the special needs of the visually disabled, and, particularly, to ob- serve White Cane Safety Day with activities that contribute to maximum independent use of our streets and public facilities by our visually handi- capped. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of Sept., 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 eighth. RONALD REAGAN Proclamation 5092 of September 6, 1983 National Forest Products Week, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Throughout our history, our Nation's abundant forests have served us in so many vital respects that we sometimes forget this extraordinary renewable natural resource. The growing and harvesting of trees, and the work force that turns them into useful products, make a valuable contribution to the Nation's economic well-being, and to providing homes for our people. Familiar and useful items ranging from furniture to grocery bags to turpen- tine were once parts of trees in the forest. Our forest lands also provide water for homes, agriculture, and industry and pastures for grazing animals. Our forests serve us in many other ways. They provide a home for wildlife and are a source of recreational activities ranging from driving through and enjoying the scenery, to mountain climbing and backpacking in our numer- ous parks and wilderness areas.