Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3725

 123STA T . 3 705PROCL A M AT I O N84 24 — S E PT. 28 , 200 9op po rtuni ti es.Iwa s prou d to si g nt h e Om ni b us P ub l i cL and M anage - ment A cto f20 0 9 to add to our N ation ’ s treasured landscapes and build on our rich histor y as guardians of our natural en v ironment. T oday , we affirm our resolve to conserve these cherished spaces for our en j oyment and for that of future generations. NO W ,T HER E F ORE, I, B ARA CK OBAMA, President of the U nited S tates of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Sep- tember 2 6, 2009, as National Public Lands D ay. I invite all my fellow citi z ens to join me in a day of service for our public lands. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n842 4o fSep tem b er 28 , 2 0 0 9FamilyD ay ,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 Our family provides one of the strongest influences on our lives. Amer- ican families from every wal k of life have taught us time and again that children raised in loving, caring homes have the ability to reject nega- tive behaviors and reach their highest potential. Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-se x couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things. Today, our children are confronting issues of drug and alcohol use with astonishing regularity. On Family Day, we honor the dedication of parents, commend the achievements of their children, and celebrate the contributions our Nation’s families have made to combat substance abuse among young people. The 2 1 st century presents families with unprecedented challenges. Millions of women and men are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs with the needs of their families. At the same time, our youngest generation faces countless distractions in their social environ- ment. They are coming of age in a world where electronic devices have replaced the playground, televisions have preempted conversation, and pressure to use drug and alcohol is far too prevalent. Parents bear sig- nificant stress and burdens to protect their children from harmful in- fluences. It is our responsibility to talk with adolescents about the risks of abus- ing alcohol, tobacco, or prescription and illicit drugs, and other harm- ful behaviors. These substances can destroy the mind, body, and spirit of a child, jeopardizing their health and limiting their potential. Active parents, voicing their disapproval of drug use, have proven themselves to be the most effective preventative method for keeping our children drug-free. A strong and engaged family can make all the difference in helping young people make healthy decisions.