National Children's Day, 1997

Proclamation 7040 of October 10, 1997

National Children's Day, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

With the birth of every child, the world becomes new
again. Within each new infant lies enormous potential--
potential for loving, for learning, and for making life
better for others. But this potential must be nurtured.
Just as seeds need fertile soil, warm sunshine, and
gentle rain to grow, so do our children need a caring
environment, the security of knowing they are loved,
and the encouragement and opportunity to make the most
of their God-given talents. There is no more urgent
task before us, as a people and as a Nation, than
creating such an environment for America's children.

One of the surest ways to do so is to strengthen
American families and help parents in their efforts to
raise healthy, happy children. My Administration has
worked hard to give parents the tools they need to
fulfill their crucial responsibilities. We have sought
to put tobacco and guns out of the reach of children.
We are improving the quality of our children's schools
by making a national commitment to high academic and
teaching standards. Recognizing the importance of a
child's early years to his or her development, we have
expanded Head Start and established Early Head Start
for low-income families with children 3 years old or
younger. We have made it easier for millions of parents
to take time off to be with a sick child without losing
their jobs, and to keep their health insurance when
they change jobs. We have protected Medicaid coverage
for 36 million Americans, including about 20 million
children, and the Balanced Budget Act I recently signed
into law will provide meaningful health care coverage
to millions more uninsured children.

But there is still much to be accomplished if we are to
ensure that America's children grow up to meet their
fullest potential. Our next important goal must be to
build upon our efforts and improve the quality and
affordability of child care in our Nation. With more
people in the work force, with more single-parent
homes, and with more families in which both parents
have to work to make ends meet, millions of American
children are already in some form of day care, and the
demand for affordable, quality child care is growing.
Later this month, the First Lady and I will host the
White House Conference on Child Care to work with and
learn from other parents, child care providers and
experts, business leaders, and economists. Together we
will focus on the best means to increase the quality,
availability, and affordability of child care in our
Nation.

As we observe National Children's Day this year, let us
recommit ourselves to creating a society where parents
can raise healthy, happy children; where every newborn
is cherished, where every child is encouraged to
succeed, and where all our young people are free to
pursue their dreams.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim October 12, 1997, as
National Children's Day. I urge all Americans to
express their love and appreciation for children on
this day and on every day throughout the year. I invite
Federal officials, State and local governments, and
particularly all American families to join together in
observing this day with appropriate ceremonies and
activities to honor our Nation's children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-second.