Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 3.djvu/757

 '" PROCLAMATION 5591-DEC. 15, 1986

101 STAT. 2055

The Congress, by Public Law 99-612, has expressed gratitude to United Way, congratulated it, and applauded and encouraged its fine work and its goals. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, 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 heartfelt thanks to a century of Americans who have shaped and supported United Way, and encourage the continuation of its efforts. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh. RONALD REAGAN Proclamation 5591 of December 15, 1986

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week, 1986 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Driving by people impaired by alcohol or other drugs is one of our Nation's most serious public health and safety problems. Each year, drunk and drugged drivers cause tens of thousands of highway fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries. In 1985, for instance, more than half of all highway deaths were alcohol-related. Each of us must help reduce this carnage through an awareness of what can be done, a commitment to do the right thing, and a refusal to tolerate drunk and drugged driving. We need to detect and stop impaired drivers before they cause an accident. We must insist upon strict law enforcement and swift and sure penalties and ensure that the privilege of driving is withdrawn when a drunken driver deliberately endangers others. We must not wait until personal tragedy strikes to become involved. Statistics show that a disproportionate number of our young people are involved in alcohol-related accidents and that raising the legal drinking age reduces alcohol-related crash involvement among young drivers. Most States commendably have raised their legal drinking age. The Federal government continues to encourage States to establish 21 as the minimum age at which individuals may purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages. We can all be grateful for the efforts of dedicated citizen volunteers in creating the growing awareness that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among young people. More and more informed, concerned citizens are getting involved in generating awareness, education, and action to remove drunk and drugged drivers from our roads and highways. With the continued involvement of private citizens working together, and action at all levels of government, we can begin to control the problem of dnmk and drugged driving.

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