American Heart Month, 1995

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Part VI

The President

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Proclamation 6768--American Heart Month

Proclamation 6769--National Older Workers Employment Week

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 6768 of February 10, 1995

American Heart Month, 1995

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout history, the heart has been a symbol of
health and well-being. Yet nothing now overshadows
Americans' health as much as heart disease--the leading
cause of death among men and women. Diseases of the
heart and blood vessels kill nearly a million Americans
each year, most from the effects of atherosclerosis,
the narrowing and stiffening of blood vessels from the
buildup of plaque that usually begins early in life.

Today, Americans are enjoying the rewards of the
progress humanity has made in understanding and
treating cardiovascular disease. Advances in diagnosis
make it possible to see the heart beat without the use
of invasive procedures. Thousands of heart attack
victims are being saved by the rapid administration of
drugs to dissolve blood clots. Soon, gene therapy may
be able to prevent the smooth muscle cell
multiplication that contributes to the narrowing of
blood vessels. Perhaps most important, we have greater
understanding of how to prevent the development of
heart disease. By controlling blood pressure and blood
cholesterol, being physically active, and not smoking
cigarettes, more Americans can have the chance to lead
long, healthy lives.

The Federal Government has contributed to these
successes by supporting research and education through
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Through
its commitment to research, its programs to heighten
public awareness, and its vital network of dedicated
volunteers, the American Heart Association also has
played a crucial role in bringing about these
remarkable accomplishments.

Yet the heart has not revealed all of its mysteries. No
one knows why heart disease begins. And, while it is
known that heart disease develops differently in men
and women, the reasons for those variations are still
being studied. About 50 million Americans continue to
suffer from hypertension, a major cause of stroke, and
1.25 million Americans have heart attacks every year.

Conquering these diseases requires unwavering national
and personal commitment. On the national level, the
Federal Government will continue to support research
into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart
disease. On the personal level, Americans can take
steps to prevent heart disease from striking their
families, including teaching their children heart-
healthy habits. Working together, we can make the
tragedy of heart disease a nightmare of the past.

In recognition of the need for all Americans to become
involved in the ongoing fight against cardiovascular
disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved
December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 169b), has
requested that the President issue an annual
proclamation designating February as ``American Heart
Month.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim February
1995 as American Heart Month. I invite the Governors of
the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials
of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States, and [[Page 8518]] the American people to
join me in reaffirming our commitment to combating
cardiovascular disease and stroke.

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

(Presidential Sig.)>