Child Health Day, 2011

Proclamation 8729 of October 3, 2011

Child Health Day, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a
Nation is to ensure the health and well-being of our
children. Today, we rededicate ourselves to providing
our children with the quality health care, healthy
food, clean environments, and safe schools and
communities they deserve.

We have taken important steps that speak to who we are
as a Nation that cares for its families and children.
Young adults are the least likely to have health
insurance, but now, thanks to the Affordable Care Act,
young adults can stay on their parents' insurance plan
until they turn 26. As a result, approximately one
million more have insurance coverage than 1 year ago.
In addition, it is now illegal for health insurance
companies to limit or deny coverage to children based
on pre-existing conditions.

Getting children off to a healthy start at home and at
school is vital to their success. This year, through
the First Lady's Let's Move! Initiative, Americans have
shown their overwhelming commitment to children's
health--over 1,250 schools met our HealthierUS School
Challenge, thousands of child care providers are
adopting healthier practices, and 1.7 million Americans
achieved the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. I
also signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, making
significant improvements to our school lunches, and we
released a redesigned food pyramid--MyPlate--to
encourage better eating.

Making sure kids grow up in safe environments is just
as important to ensuring their well-being. In March, we
hosted the White House Conference on Bullying
Prevention because no child should feel unsafe or be
afraid to be who they are at school or in their
community. To keep children safe from hazards, we have
taken great strides to provide for cleaner air and
drinking water, and to reduce children's exposure to
lead dust. To make school buildings safer, the American
Jobs Act I have proposed would provide for investments
that would put Americans back to work while making
important repairs to schools, like removing asbestos
and updating technology.

On Child Health Day, we recognize the fundamental
importance of caring for the health of our next
generation, and we recommit to helping our children,
their families, and our communities fulfill the dream
of healthy, happy, and secure futures.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18,
1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the
designation of the first Monday in October as Child
Health Day and has requested the President to issue a
proclamation in observance of this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday,
October 3, 2011, as Child Health Day. I call upon
families, child health professionals, faith-based and
community organizations, and all levels of government
to help ensure that America's children stay safe and
healthy.

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