Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3706

 123STA T . 3 68 6 PROCL A M AT I O N 8 40 8 — A UG .31 , 200 9INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I have he r e untos et my han d th i s thirty -f irst day of A u g ust, in the year of our L ord t w o thousand nine, and of the Inde p enden c eofthe U nited States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth .B ARA CK OBA M A Proclam a ti o n840 8o fAug u s t 31,2 00 9Nation a lPr o s tat eC an c er Aw areness M ont h,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation As a Nation, we have made significant progress in the fight against prostate cancer. Over the l ast decade, prostate cancer mortality rates have fallen su b stantially. Y et, despite this progress, among men in the United States prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. One in si x men in this country will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. National P ros- tate Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to renew our commit- ment to find better ways to prevent, detect, and control this disease. Prostate cancer affects both those stric k en with the disease and their families, often occurring when they least expect it. The cancer does not discriminate among husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons, and it does not differentiate on race, age, or income. Americans of every back- ground know its dangers. Families share in the struggles of prostate cancer, bearing the emotional and financial concerns along with the af- flicted. My Administration supports prevention efforts and research to develop better screening tests, uncover more effective treatments, and ensure q uality care for all who are diagnosed with this illness. We must en- sure that more men are educated about all aspects of the disease in- cluding prevention, early detection and possible treatment options. To expand our knowledge of this cancer, the National Institutes of Health, the D epartment of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are playing leading roles in research. Their work is helping to reduce the burden of prostate cancer and save lives for generations to come. This month, we remember the lives we have lost, and we recommit ourselves to supporting those currently battling against the disease. Na- tional Prostate Cancer Awareness Month also highlights the great med- ical advancements we have made and reminds us there is still much work to be done. As a Nation, we are united in our resolve to reduce incidence of prostate cancer and improve the lives of all those affected. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 20 0 9 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage citi- z ens, G overnment agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to j oin in activities that will increase