Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 108 Part 6.djvu/972

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108 STAT. 5540 PROCLAMATION 6653—MAR. 2, 1994 ber 30, 1963 {71 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 169a), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the first week in March of each year as "Save Your Vision Week." NOW, THEREFORE, I. WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning March 6, 1994, as Save Your Vision Week. I urge all Americans to participate in this observance by making eye care and eye safety a priority in their lives. I invite eye care professionals, members of the media, and all public and private organizations committed to the important goal of sight protection to join in activities that will make Americans more aware of the steps they can take to protect their vision. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighteenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6653 of March 2, 1994 American Red Cross Month, 1994 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Over a century ago, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross to provide hope, compassion, and care to victims of catastrophe and destruction. Today over 150 countries uphold the idea of neutral and impartial assistance to all people in timeis of great pain, disaster, or war. In 2,600 chapters across the United States, and on 200 U.S. military installations around the world, over 1.4 million American Red Cross volunteers and more than 23,000 paid staff work diligently to save lives and to assist those in crisis. It is fitting that in this month, which celebrates the coming of spring and the rebirth of nature, we take the time to acknowledge the many outstanding accomplishments of the American Red Cross. As the Honorary Chairman of this praiseworthy organization, I am proud to commend everyone who is associated with its life-saving efforts. The dedicated members of this organization have enabled thousands of people who thought hope had abandoned them to experience new and bright beginnings. Since 1881 the American Red Cross has helped millions who have entered its doors seeking shelter, food, financial assistance, training, and most important, compassion. The last 12 months will go down in history as a litany of disasters of every description, from the Midwest floods to the California fires and earthquakes to the winter storms that gripped a large part of the country. The American Red Cross rose to each challenge in its usual timely and efficient manner, restoring hope for so many in need. The Red Cross is in the business of responding to disasters, large and small, 365 days a year. It also provides blood to hospital patients, who otherwise might not survive.