Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 108 Part 6.djvu/1010

 108 STAT. 5578 PROCLAMATION 6688—MAY 10, 1994 rience of a Lifetime." I am asking all Americans to help make this theme a reality by striving to achieve healthy and productive lifestyles. Each year, we are learning new ways to promote longer, healthier, and more rewarding lives. We can do this by learning to eat nutritiously, by giving up smoking, by moderating om- consumption of alcoholic beverages, and by entering into a personal or group fitness program. New studies show that regardless of age, it's never too late to improve health and vitality. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 the month of May 1994, as Older Americans Month. I call upon individual Americans, representatives of government at all levels, businesses, and commvmity, volunteer, and educational groups to work to increase opportunities for older Americans and to adopt healthier lifestyles. IN WITNESS WHEREOF. I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighteenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6688 of May 10, 1994 Labor History Month, 1994 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For more than a century, the labor movement in the United States has served as a major force for ovu economic and social progress as a Nation. American trade unionists have fought for and achieved benefits for all citizens. At the turn of the centm-y, the average worker made about ten dollars for a 60-hour week, and more than 2 million children similarly worked long hours for even less pay. Prior to the formation of a national labor movement in 1881, safe working conditions, regular hours, decent living wages, paid holidays, and vacations were often mere dreams. Emergency and family leave were almost unimaginable. The struggle of American workers against these appalling circumstances transformed our Nation. Disasters, like the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the 1991 Hamlet Poultry Fire, and triumphs, like the Sanitation Workers struggle for dignity and union representation in 1968, have played a significant role in shaping American life. By studying labor history, we find the foundations of work life in America—the 8-hom' day, the 40-hour week, security in unemployment and old age, protection for the sick and injured, equal employment opportunity, protection for children, and health and safety standards. In addition, labor history shows that American workers were in the forefront of the effort to make public education available for every child. As an American, I am proud of the accomplishments of our labor movement, through which we all enjoy better lives. In issuing this

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