National Preparedness Month, 2009

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8412 of September 4, 2009

National Preparedness Month, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Preparedness is an essential element of a resilient and
secure Nation. My Administration has made preparedness
a top priority, and we are working every day to ensure
our country stands ready to respond to any disaster or
emergency--from wildfires and hurricanes, to terrorist
attacks and pandemic disease. Our goal is to ensure a
more resilient Nation--one in which individuals,
communities, and our economy can adapt to changing
conditions as well as withstand and rapidly recover
from disruption due to emergencies.

During National Preparedness Month, we underscore the
responsibility of individuals, families, and
communities--including the private and nonprofit
sectors--to do their part before an emergency. I urge
all Americans to take time to prepare an emergency
supply kit and a family emergency plan, and to educate
themselves about potential disasters. I also ask
Americans to work within their own communities to
coordinate emergency preparedness efforts. All
Americans share this responsibility, and we must all
work together to safeguard the Nation from harm.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supports
and promotes citizen education and grassroots
preparedness efforts. FEMA's Ready Campaign provides
simple and practical steps that all Americans can take
to protect themselves, their families, and their
neighbors. Additionally, the Citizen Corps educates,
trains, and coordinates volunteer activities that help
make our communities safer and better prepared for
emergencies. I encourage all Americans to learn more at
www.ready.gov and www.citizencorps.gov.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 September 2009 as National
Preparedness Month. I call upon the people of the
United States to recognize the importance of preparing
for potential emergencies beforehand and to observe
this month with appropriate preparedness activities,
events, and training to enhance our national
resilience.

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