123STA T . 3 6 22 PROCL A M AT I O N8 3 5 6 — APR. 1 , 2 0 0 9Awel l -inform e da nd st ron g famil y ist h es u rest defense against c hild a b use .T o hel p educate and strengthen families , community members can offer their time and counsel to parents and children who may need assistance. F ore x ample, parent support groups pro v ide an organi z ed forum for assistance. M ore informally, community members may sim- ply offer a helping hand to families under stress. More information about what families and communities can do is available at www.childwelfare.gov / preventing. C ivic organizations and government also have an important role to play. Civic groups offer essential support through education, assistance to those at ris k , and treatment for victims. G overnment at the local, S tate, and Federal level must provide funding for services, conduct public education pro j ects, and enforce child abuse laws. As we recognize that we all suffer when our children are abused, that we all benefit from mutual concern and care, and that we all have a responsibility to help, more American children will grow up healthy, happy, and with unlimited potential for success. NOW ,T HER EFORE, I , B ARAC K OBAMA, P resident of the U nited States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 20 0 9 , as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens to help prevent and respond to child abuse by strengthening families and contributing to all children ’ s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8356 o fAp ril 1,20 0 9Nation a lD onat eL i f e M ont h,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 Through organ, tissue, and marrow donation Americans can give the extraordinary gift of life. National D onate Life Month provides an op- portunity to honor those who have given of themselves to save lives and to call upon others to participate in this generous effort. Every day in our Nation and across the world, Americans dedicate themselves to helping those in need. During times of crisis and calm, Americans have looked beyond themselves to aid friends and strangers alike. This spirit of giving represents a hallmark of our national char- acter. Many Americans have followed this tradition of generosity through organ, tissue, and marrow donation. These selfless individuals have saved lives and strengthened families and communities, and they de- serve respect and admiration for their contributions.
