White Cane Safety Day, 2005

Proclamation 7949 of October 14, 2005

White Cane Safety Day, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans who are blind or visually impaired are
valuable and contributing members of our society, and
many use a white cane to help them succeed at school,
home, or work. White canes give these individuals
greater mobility and enable them to participate in more
aspects of community life. On White Cane Safety Day, we
celebrate the progress that has been made for those who
are blind or visually impaired, and we reaffirm our
commitment to ensuring that these citizens can live and
work with greater freedom and independence.

One of our Nation's defining values is compassion, and
we must make certain that all our citizens are able to
harness their talents, engage in productive work, and
participate fully in society. My Administration is
working to fulfill this goal for individuals with
disabilities through the New Freedom Initiative. This
comprehensive program helps increase the development
and use of assistive and universally designed
technologies, expand educational and employment
opportunities, and improve access into daily community
life. By working to reduce barriers and change old ways
of thinking, we can help ensure that our Nation's
opportunities are more accessible to all.

The Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-628)
approved on October 6, 1964, as amended, has designated
October 15 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
15, 2005, as White Cane Safety Day. I call upon public
officials, business leaders, educators, librarians, and
all the people of the United States to observe this day
with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B