123STA T . 3 6 13 PROCL A M AT I O N8 3 47—FEB .27 , 2 0 0 9tionsw o uldfa il , and t hem ission of the R ed Cr oss would g o unfulfilled .W hether hel p ing militar y families stay c onnected with ser v ice mem b ers around the world, teaching C P R and first aid, or sup - porting other members of the I nternational Red Cross and Red Crescent M ovement, volunteers are critical to the success of each and every Red Cross endeavor. T hese individuals epitomi z e the generosity and com- munity spirit of the A merican people. NO W,T HE RE F ORE, I, B ARAC K OBAMA, President of the U nited S tates of America and Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States do hereby proclaim March 20 0 9 as American Red Cross Month. I encourage all Americans to support this organization ’ s noble humanitarian mission. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sev- enth day of February, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8347 o fFeb r u ar y2 7 , 2 0 0 9Nation a lC on sumerP rote c tion W ee k,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Consumer education helps every American who enters the mar k et- place. When making a purchase, consumers should know their rights and should learn about goods and services before they buy. This knowledge allows consumers to make sound decisions and protects families and individuals from fraud and abuse. Consumer vigilance also prevents problems before they arise. D uring National Consumer Protection Week, we highlight consumer education efforts to help Americans make wise decisions. Federal, State, and local agencies
pri- vate sector organizations; and consumer advocacy groups band together to encourage Americans to learn about the protections the law affords and to take full advantage of the resources available for consumers of every age. This year’s theme for National Consumer Protection Week, ‘ ‘Nuts & Bolts
Tools for Today’s Economy,’’ focuses on the basic information consumers need as they face the opportunities and pitfalls of the mar- ketplace. Every day, consumers make tough choices about saving, in- vesting, and spending their hard-earned money. Whether selecting a mortgage payment plan, seeking a credit report, or buying a car, staying well-informed and vigilant can help citizens make prudent choices. A few days, hours, or even minutes of preparatory research can ulti- mately save time and money. As part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission has organized a coalition of public- and private-sector or- ganizations to provide practical tips on a wide range of topics. These tips are available at www.consumer.gov / ncpw. The website also in-
