Child Health Day, 2009

Proclamation 8433 of October 2, 2009

Child Health Day, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our Nation has an obligation to provide access to
affordable, high-quality health care for all our
children. No child should be forced to go without
medical attention because the cost of a doctor visit is
too high. Healthy children are better equipped to
combat illness and to perform well in school, impacting
their development well into adulthood. On Child Health
Day, we recognize the fundamental importance of health
care for our Nation's children, and dedicate our
collective energies to support their needs and those of
their families.

The responsibility for our children's health rests with
every American. Parents and guardians should lead by
example. We must teach our children the importance of
healthy eating and a physically active lifestyle. We
can support community programs across America that
provide our young people with healthy choices, and
ensure that families have the resources necessary to
champion the health of their children. From outdoor
activities to community athletic teams, we can seize
opportunities to increase physical activity in the
lives of our children, and promote healthy habits at an
early age.

When our children make smart, healthy decisions, they
are set on the path towards success. A balanced diet,
coupled with proper exercise, has proven effective in
combating childhood obesity and other chronic illnesses
among our Nation's young people. More recently, the
lure of indoor distractions has drawn our children away
from the athletic fields and outdoor activities that
can be part of a healthy lifestyle. We must engage our
Nation's children in behaviors that support their
physical fitness, ensure they have access to healthy,
affordable food, and empower their families with the
information essential for healthy living.

As a Nation, we cannot allow our children to fail in
reaching their full potential because we fail to meet
their basic needs. My Administration has made
children's health a priority, and I was proud to sign
the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance
Program (CHIP), extending health care to millions of
young Americans who were previously uninsured. Today,
we celebrate the health of our children and rededicate
ourselves to providing a bright, healthy future for our
Nation's youth.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 5,
2009, as Child Health Day.

I call upon families, child health professionals,
faith-based and community organizations, and
governments to help ensure that America's children stay
safe and healthy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of October, 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.