Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 3.djvu/876

 105 STAT. 2760 PROCLAMATION 6384—DEC. 2, 1991 vember 30, 1991, as National Adoption Week. I urge all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have heremito set my hand this 27 day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and sixteenth. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6384 of December 2, 1991 Geography Awareness Week, 1991 and 1992 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Coaches know that, before a winning team can prove itself on the field, each of its members must master the "fundamentals." The same principle applies to education; thus, our efforts to restore excellence in our schools include renewed emphasis on the basics. One of the key aims of AMERICA 2000, our strategy to achieve our National Education Goals, is to ensure that this country's students demonstrate competence in five core subject areas: mathematics, science, English, history, and geography. The study of geography, which focuses on people and their physical sxuroundings, not only goes hand in hand with the study of history and science but also gives us a better understanding of current world events. Geography has been a determining factor in the social, economic, and political development of every nation on Earth; indeed, it is impossible to understand history without taking into account the location, natural resources, and other geographic characteristics of nations. When we study the geography of our 50 States, as well as the relationship of America to the world as a whole, we gain a better understanding of our Nation's history and development—and a deeper appreciation of its diversity and splendor. While most geographic features of our Nation and the planet have taken shape over thousands of years, the study of geography gives us more than insight into the past;- it also equips us with knowledge that we need to understand and to participate in the world of today. As advances in technology bring the world closer together, and as democratic reforms in many nations create new opportunities for international trade and travel, the mastery of geography becomes increasingly important. If the United States is to remain a leader in our rapidly changing world, then our citizens must be able to recognize the location and the significance of events abroad. If we are to continue to enjoy success in the complex realms of foreign policy and international commerce, then we must also be familiar with the languages, customs, and physical circumstances of our neighbors aroimd the globe. Despite the importance of geography, and despite the fact that it can be both fascinating and fim for students, too many Americans do not have basic knowledge in this field. Too many schoolchildren—and too many adults—are unable to locate major cities, countries, or even entire con-

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