White Cane Safety Day, 2008

Proclamation 8307 of October 13, 2008

White Cane Safety Day, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Compassion is one of our Nation's defining values, and
we must work to ensure that all Americans are able to
participate fully in society. The white cane allows
many of our citizens who are blind or visually impaired
to enjoy increased mobility. On White Cane Safety Day,
we celebrate the symbolism of the white cane and
highlight the importance of ensuring that individuals
who are blind or visually impaired can live
independently and realize their full potential.

Through the New Freedom Initiative, my Administration
has put into action our strong commitment to helping
more individuals with disabilities participate in all
aspects of life. Since 2001, this initiative has built
on the progress of the Americans with Disabilities Act
and helped create greater access to schools, the
workplace, and community life. These efforts are
helping to remove barriers and enabling more Americans
to live with greater dignity and freedom.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved on October
6, 1964 (Public Law 88-628), 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, 2008, 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
thirteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.