Proc. 7611 Title 3--The President $145 million for alternative transportation and innovative transportation grants that will improve accessibility to vital aspects of society including schools, lobs, and places of worship. By implementing these and other im- portant reforms, we can make great progress towards an America where in- dividuals are celebrated for their talents and abilities, not iudged by their limitations and disabilities. The Congress, by ioint resolution (Public Law 88-628) approved on Octo- ber 6, 1964, as amended, has designated October \1775 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day." NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October \1775, 2002, as White Cane Safety Day. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to loin with me in ensuring that all the benefits and privileges of life in our great Nation are available to blind and visually im- paired individuals, and to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independ- ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7611 of October 17, 2002 Year of Clean Water, 2002-2003 By the President of the United States of Arnerica A Proclamation On October 18, 2002, our Nation marks the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and begins the Observance of the Year of Clean Water. This landmark environmental legislation has been central to the important progress we have made as a Nation in improving the quality of our drink- ing water and the health of our waters, wetlands, and watersheds. During this time, we renew our commitment to building on these successes and to developing new approaches and partnerships to meet our environmental challenges. The Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 have helped our citizens enioy one of the safest and cleanest water supplies in the world. Under the Clean Water Act, the Federal Government has pro- vided more than $80 billion in wastewater assistance to the States and lo- calities. This fundamentally important investment has ensured that 165 million citizens now benefit from modern sewage treatment, up from 86 million in 1968. The important advances in waste water treatment since the Clean Water Act's passage constitute one of the maior achievements in modern American public health. In the last 30 years, the overall health of our marine waters, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands has also dramatically improved. The Federal Gov- ernment has cooperated with States, tribes, local communities, businesses, and concerned individuals to reduce significantly all forms of water poilu- 152
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