National Trauma Awareness Month, 1994

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Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 98
Monday, May 23, 1994

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Title 3--
The President
Proclamation 6691 of May 18, 1994

National Trauma Awareness Month, 1994

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All of us are potential victims of physical trauma.
Even though we may lead relatively calm and safe lives,
we can never fully escape the risks of traumatic
injury. Each year, no fewer than 150,000 Americans die
as a result of massive damage to skin or to internal
organs, providing a sobering reminder that we must
renew our efforts to create a healthier and safer
society.

While traumatic physical injury threatens all of us,
young children are at particularly high risk for its
tragic effects. In fact, six times as many children are
killed by traumatic incidence than by cancer. No matter
who falls victim, trauma exacts a tremendous toll.

In addition to the vast physical and emotional
suffering that occurs, trauma also causes staggering
economic losses. This year alone, Americans will spend
more than $175 billion for the health care costs and
loss of productivity associated with trauma.

We now consider trauma to be among the most neglected
medical conditions in our country, and it is vital that
we take steps to diminish its terrible damage.

Fortunately, we can substantially reduce the threat and
the impact of traumatic injury through a concerted
campaign of prevention and of improvement in care. By
using established safety procedures in our homes and at
work and by teaching basic safety to our children, we
can significantly lower the number of traumatic
accidents that occur each year. We can also help
prevent many of the fatalities associated with trauma
by learning how to properly treat its victims. By
rededicating ourselves to understanding life-
threatening trauma and by making the most effective
uses of emergency medical services, we can all
contribute to creating a healthier society.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-39, has designated May
1994 as ``National Trauma Awareness Month,'' and has
authorized and requested the President to issue a
proclamation in observance of this month.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month
of May 1994 as National Trauma Awareness Month. I call
upon all Americans to observe this month with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and
eighteenth.

(Presidential Sig.)>