PROCLAMATION 5922—DEC. 8, 1988 103 STAT. 2671 centuries—^have also provided a standard for liberty and the rule of law emulated in dozens of other countries as well. Nevertheless, many individuals and nations do not enjoy the rights enumerated in our Constitution and in the Universal Declaration. Some governments voice ringing guarantees but fall far short in practice. Some, such as Conununist regimes, wrongly subordinate fundamental rights to other goals. These goals are often defined by political groups or parties that claim to know what is best for the individual and for peoples subject to their control. Fundamental goals—^free elections and due process—are concepts not welcomed by dictators of any ideologi- cal or political stripe. Despite this entrenched resistance of tyrants to practical guarantees of liberty, the Universal Declaration has done much to promote observ- ance of human rights around the world. Over the past decade in par- ticvdar we have seen great strides. As we move toward the final decade of this centiuy, we can truly say that the heroism, prayers, and sacrifices of countless heroes and hero- ines who have braved threats and persecution in the long struggle for human rights have produced noteworthy results. But we still have far to go. We must and will dedicate ourselves as a Nation to continue this effort, and to stand in solidarity with those who resist, until the bless- ings of democracy, freedom, and respect for human dignity are assured throughout the world. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 10, 1988, as Human Rights Day, and December 15, 1988, as Bill of Rights Day, and I call upon all Americans to observe the week beginning December 10, 1988, as Human Rights Week. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hun- dred and thirteenth. . RONALD REAGAN Editorial note: For the President's remarks of Dec. 8, 1988, on signing Proclamation 5921, see the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 24. p. 1597). Proclamation 5922 of December 8, 1988 ^ National Bum Awareness Week, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation At least 2 million people in the United States receive bum injuries each year. Seventy thousand of them require some hospitalization, and more than 12,000 die from their injiuies. Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are often btim victims.
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