83 STAT. ]
PROCLAMATION 3939-OCT. 3, 1969
967
children need eye care; more than two and a half million have speech impairments; more than two million do not hear well; nearly two million have orthopedic handicaps. Their future will onlv be as bright as we, the leaders of this generation, are able to make it by minimizing physical impairments or other handicaps to their health. In recognition of the necessity for protecting and developing the health of the Nation's children, the Congress, by a joint resolution of May 18, 1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 143), requested the President to j^^H^^^^^y^'^' issue annually a proclamation setting apart the first Monday in October of each year as Child Health Day. Child Health Day is also an appropriate time to salute the work which the United Nations, through its specialized agencies, and the United Nations Children's Fund are doing to improve the health of children around the world. NOW, THEREFOEE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 6, 1969, as Child Health Day, and call upon all our citizens to unite on that day to make plans for the health needs of our children, whether they live in the cities or in the small towns or on the farms of rural America. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixtynine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-fourth.
(^/IJL^-^IC:^^ Proclamation 3939 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK, 1969 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
Our land has been blessed by an abundance of food and by the genius and industry of our food-producers. Yet, despite the rich and varied diet available to us, there are still many Americans who are malnourished, whether due to poverty or to uninformed purchase and preparation of food. It is one of the major tasks confronting the American people to eliminate malnutrition whether it be caused by the curse of poverty or the blight of ignorance. A vital step toward this goal is the provision of ample food and proper nutrition for the American child. Safeguarding the health and well-being of school children has been a hallmark of the National School Lunch Program during its 23 years of operation. Last year it provided nutritious lunches to more than 20 million youngsters, including some three million from low-income families who were served at no cost or at a greatly reduced price. It is unfortunate that many thousands of children seriously in need of better nutrition do not now have the benefit of either the school lunch or school breakfast service. All of us—professional and volunteer workers alike—at Federal, State and local levels must use our
October 3. 1969
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