Proc. 7592 Title 3--The President success of America's farmers and ranchers is essential to our economy, and helping to ensure their safety is an important goal for our country. Because their homes also serve as their workplace, our country's farm fami- lies are often exposed to unique hazards. These include powerful machin- ery, dangerous chemicals, unruly livestock, and buildings containing high dust and gas levels. To ensure safety, young family members helping with farm work must be trained to recognize these dangers; and we must also safeguard older farm workers whose health risks may increase due to aging and previous injuries. Professionals in the engineering safety and rural health fields have made significant progress in preventing accidents in agricultural settings. To pro- tect machinery operators, industry has made great strides to incorporate safeguards to prevent rollovers, entanglements, and other accidents. Per- sonal protective gear, new and safer packaging, and advances in respiratory protection and hearing conservation help protect agricultural workers from contact with hazardous products, excessive dust, gas, and unduly loud noise in the work environment. To ensure our farmers' continued health, we must increase public aware- ness of available safety precautions. Simple, economical tools and proce- dures can help prevent accidents on farms. With proper installation and care, lighting and marking devices reduce the risk of highway collisions be- tween farm equipment and vehicles. By clearly labeling farm chemicals and storing them in locked containers, we can help avoid poisonings and inju- ries. America's farmers make invaluable contributions to our country, and my Administration is committed to preserving the farm way of life for future generations. In May, I was pleased to sign the Farm Security and Rural In- vestment Act of 2002. This generous new law will strengthen American ag- riculture and support our farmers through difficult times, without encour- aging overproduction and depressing prices. I also intend to aggressively use my trade promotion authority to open markets to American farmers. By promoting farm safety, we strengthen our farm economy and help our Na- tion's farmers continue to be the best, most productive farmers in the world. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. 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 the week of September 15 through September 2% 2002, as National Farm Safety and Health Week. I call upon the agencies, organizations, and businesses that serve America's agricultural workers to strengthen their commitment to promoting farm safety and health programs. I also encourage American citizens to recognize the importance of our agricultural heritage and the valuable contributions America's farmers, ranchers, and farm workers make to our Nation's econ- omy and vitality. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sev- enth. GEORGE W. BUSH 132
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