Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3763

 123STA T . 3 74 3 PROCL A M AT I O N8 4 60—DE C.2 , 200 9the te r r i t o rie s s ubj e c t to the juris d ictio n o f the U nited S t a tes , and the Am erican p eop l e to join in appropriate acti v ities to remember those w ho have lost their lives to A ID S, and to provide support and comfort to those livin g with this disease . I NW I T N E SSW H E R E OF , I have hereunto set m y hand this twenty - fifth day of November, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. B ARA CK OBA M A Proclam a ti o n8460 o fDe cem b er 2, 200 9Crit i calInf ra s tr u ctur eP r o tection 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 Critical infrastructure protection is an essential element of a resilient and secure nation. Critical infrastructure are the assets, systems, and networ k s, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, public health or safety. From water systems to computer networks, power grids to cellular phone towers, risks to critical infrastructure can result from a comple x com- bination of threats and ha z ards, including terrorist attacks, accidents, and natural disasters. During Critical Infrastructure P rotection Month, we pledge to work together to shelter our communities from the harm of uncertain threats. My Administration is committed to ensuring our country ’ s essential re- sources are safe and capable of recovering from disruptive incidents. The Department of Homeland Security is leading a coordinated na- tional program to reduce risks and improve our national preparedness, timely response, and rapid recovery in the event of an attack, natural disaster, or other emergency. The Department, in collaboration with other Federal stakeholders, State, local, and tribal governments, and private sector partners, has developed the National Infrastructure Pro- tection Plan ( NIPP ) to establish a framework for securing our resources and maintaining their resilience from all hazards during an event or emergency. During Critical Infrastructure Protection Month, we rededicate our- selves to safeguarding and strengthening our Nation’s infrastructure. Additionally, members of the public and private sectors should work with their appropriate State, regional, and local authorities to engage in critical infrastructure protection activities being coordinated across the country. Americans can learn more about the NIPP and its partner- ship framework by visiting www.dhs.gov / criticalinfrastructure. 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 the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Decem- ber 20 0 9 as Critical Infrastructure Protection Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the importance of partnering