Child Health Day, 2013

Proclamation 9036 of October 4, 2013

Child Health Day, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All children deserve to grow up healthy and safe. And
we all share an obligation to ensure our youth have the
necessary resources to thrive. This Child Health Day,
let us recommit to providing our children with one of
life's most basic building blocks--a healthy start.

My Administration remains committed to seeing our next
generation achieve their full potential. Partnering
with parents and students, teachers and community
members, we have taken steps to help prevent bullying
and create a climate in our schools in which all of our
children feel safe and feel like they belong. Through
First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, we
are working to end the epidemic of childhood obesity
within a generation. And thanks to the Affordable Care
Act, millions of families and children have greater
access to affordable, quality health care coverage,
young Americans can stay on their parents' health
insurance until age 26, and no child can be denied
coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

Because clean air and clean water are cornerstones of a
healthy lifestyle, I am taking action to reduce
pollution, safeguard our environment, and limit our
children's exposure to harmful toxins. My
Administration established the first-ever national
limits for mercury and other toxic emissions from power
plants that contribute to higher rates of asthma
attacks. I am also putting in place tough new rules to
cut carbon pollution, so we can protect our kids'
health, begin to slow the effects of climate change,
and leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future
generations.

Preparing our youth for happy, productive lives is a
responsibility we can only achieve together. Whether by
providing a balanced meal, encouraging physical
activity, or empowering our children to make healthy
decisions, each of us can teach our kids about
nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyles. Leading by
example, adults across our country can demonstrate the
habits and values of mental and physical well-being
that will nurture our next generation throughout their
lives.

On Child Health Day, we are reminded of our first, most
urgent task--to protect and develop the health of our
children. Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to our
Nation's youth and remember our future depends on their
success.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18,
1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the
designation of the first Monday in October as Child
Health Day and has requested the President to issue a
proclamation in observance of this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday,
October 7, 2013, as Child Health Day. I call upon
families, child health professionals, faith-based and
community organizations, and all levels of government
to help ensure America's children stay healthy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.