PROCLAMATION 5102—SEPT. 21, 1983 97 STAT. 1625 age of survival of its victims. For example, half of the children born with cystic fibrosis can now expect to live to age 21. But this good news brings with it new hurdles. While people with cystic fibrosis are embarking on careers and assuming societal responsibilities to a greater extent than ever before, they do so in the shadow of a disease that remains progressively debilitating. Therefore, the challenge remains to identify the cause of this disease and ultimately, we hope, to prevent it. Scientists are uncovering in greater and greater detail the metabolic defects involved in cystic fibrosis. By focusing on the unique physiology of people with the disease, researchers are getting closer to being able to identify its cause. In this effort, public awareness of the hallmarks and treatment of cystic fibrosis and of the importance of con- tinuing scientific research are critical. To enhance the public's awareness of this disease, the Congress of the United States, by Senate Joint Resolution 131, has designated the week of Ante, p. 613. September 18 through September 24, 1983 as "National Cystic Fibrosis Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclama- tion in observance of that week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning September 18, 1983, as National Cystic Fibrosis Week, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe that week by focusing attention on cystic fibrosis and the continuing efforts to clarify the causes of the disease and improve the treat- ment of its victims. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of September, 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 5102 of September 21, 1983 National Sickle-Cell Anemia Awareness Month, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Sickle-cell disease affects the health of some 50,000 to 60,000 Americans, most of whom are blacks. An additional two million blacks are carriers of the sickle-cell trait. Though the trait usually does not have clinical symp- toms, it is very important in the genetic transmission of sickle-cell disease. Since the early 1970's, the Federal government has conducted a National Sickle-Cell Disease Program. Coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, it promotes efforts toward prevention, diagnosis, and treat- ment of this disease. In addition, the National Institutes of Health have sup- ported ten Comprehensive Sickle-Cell Centers throughout the United States. These facilities have been successful in developing unified programs of basic and clinical research, training, and community service directed at sickle-cell disease. In the past decade, there has been substantial progress in research on sickle-cell disease. Diagnostic procedures have been greatly improved.
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