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PROCLAMATION 3977-APR. 9, 1970

[84

STAT.

Proclamation 3977 SENIOR CITIZENS MONTH, 1970 April 9, 1970

By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

I t has become a national tradition to designate the month of May each year as a time to give recognition to the older members of our population. This year Senior Citizens Month will have a special significance. I t will mark the launching of activity leading to a White House Conference on Aging in 1971. For too long we have lacked a national policy and commitment to provide adequate services and opportunities for older propV I have called the 1971 White House Conference to develop just such a policy. My Special Assistant for the Aging, who will direct the Conference, will devote the preparatory year of 1970 to encouraging all older people to speak out regarding their needs. I want to know also how they see themselves helping to meet these needs, and how they believe they can contribute to raising the quality of life for all Americans. I n meeting the challenge of our rapidly changing society, older Americans have gained invaluable experience. We ask them to draw on this fund of knowledge to create a better and more enriching life in the later years. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the month of May 1970 as Senior Citizens Month. The theme for this month shall be O L D E R AMERICA N S S P E A K TO THE N A T I O N — P R O L O G U E TO THE 1971 W H I T E H O U S E C O N F E R E N C E ON AGING. I urge the Governors of all the States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officers of Federal, State, and local governments, voluntary organizations, and private groups to arrange during May for community forums or other appropriate meetings where older citizens may come together to express their views. And I urge all older Americans to take advantage of this opportunity in their home communities to make the first contribution toward a successful 1971 White House Conference on Aging. I N W I T N E S S WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-fourth.

(yiliL^-^K:/^ Proclamation 3978 PAN AMERICAN DAY AND PAN AMERICAN WEEK, 1970 April 10, 1970

By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

2 UST 2394; 21 UST 607.

On April 14, the republics of the Western Hemisphere will mark the 80th anniversary of the inter-American system, the world's oldest regional grouping of nations. Today the Organization of American States, like its predecessors in former years, is working to create that spirit of mutual understanding in our Hemisphere which alone can preserve the peace and improve the life of its people.

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