Older Americans Month, 1997

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Part II

The President

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Proclamation 6996--Older Americans Month, 1997

Proclamation 6997--Loyalty Day, 1997

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 6996 of May 1, 1997

Older Americans Month, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year we set aside the month of May as a special
time to pay tribute to older Americans and to
acknowledge their many contributions to our national
life. For the better part of this century, through
tough times and good times, these Americans have raised
families, strengthened our economy, defended our
Nation, and reaffirmed our deepest values. All of us
who are heirs to their service and sacrifice owe them a
profound debt of gratitude.

The theme of this year's observance, ``Caregiving:
Compassion in Action,'' reminds us of one of the most
important ways in which we can repay that debt. Each
day across America, some 22 million caregivers and
volunteers dedicate themselves to improving the quality
of life for older family members, friends, and
neighbors. By providing personal care, housekeeping,
transportation, and innumerable other services and
assistance, these caregivers enable many older
Americans to remain in their own homes and communities,
maintaining a precious measure of dignity and
independence.

As America's population of older Americans continues
to grow in number, we will have an even greater need to
call on the skills and compassion of caregivers. In
keeping with the spirit of service that is sweeping
across our Nation today, I ask that all Americans--
every day, but especially during Older Americans
Month--reach out to an older person in need, sharing
time, talents, and attention with someone who has
already shared so much with us. By putting our
compassion in action to serve our older citizens, we
can build a more promising future for all our people.

Older Americans deserve our respect and support for
they have worked diligently in so many ways to enrich
and preserve the way of life we all enjoy. Our senior
citizens have woven the fabric of our Nation to
exemplify the values and beliefs that have made our
country great.

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 May 1997 as Older
Americans Month. I call upon Government officials,
businesses, communities, volunteers, educators, and all
the people of the United States to honor our older
Americans and acknowledge the important contributions
made by their caregivers, this month and throughout the
year.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of May, 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-first.