Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3765

 123STA T . 3 745PROCL A M AT I O N8 4 6 2 —DE C.2 , 2 0 0 9Americansto ma k e res p onsi bl e d ecisions and take appropriate meas -u res to pre v ent impaired drivin g.INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I h ave hereunto set m y hand this second day o fD ecember, in the year of our L ord t w o thousand nine, and of the Independence of the U nited States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. B ARA CK OBA M A Proclam a ti o n8462 o fDe cem b er2 , 2 0 0 9Inter n a t io na lD a y o fP er s ons W it h Disa b ilities ,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 This year, in an effort to renew our global commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities, the United States became a proud signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of P ersons with Disabilities. This treaty represents a para- digm shift, urging e q ual protection and benefits for all citi z ens, and re- affirming the inherent dignity and independence of the 650 million people living with disabilities worldwide. Today, as we commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the skills, achievements, and contributions of persons with disabilities in America and around the world. We recognize the progress we have made toward equality for all, and we rededicate ourselves to ensuring individuals with disabilities can reach their greatest potential. Despite our increased efforts, persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their full participation in society. In the United States, Americans with disabilities still e x perience discrimination in the workplace and in their communities. In developing nations, 9 0 percent of children with disabilities do not attend school, and women and girls with disabilities are all too often sub j ected to deep discrimination. If we are to move forward as a people, both at home and abroad, all indi- viduals must be fully integrated into our human family. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a time to renew our commitment to the principles of empowerment, dignity, and equal- ity. The United States has co-sponsored and joined consensus on the United Nations G eneral Assembly Third Committee ’ s resolution titled, ‘ ‘Realizing the Millennium Development Goals for Persons with Dis- abilities.’’ We must continue to embrace diversity and reject discrimi- nation in all its forms, and insist on equality of opportunity and acces- sibility for all. Let our efforts remind us that when we work together, we can build a world free of unnecessary barriers and include every member of our international community. 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 3, 2 009, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activi- ties, and programs.