Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 89.djvu/1282

 89 STAT. 1222

PROCLAMATION 4339—DEC. 30, 1974 pregnant woman upon the developing child is being used to prevent these disorders. Prevention is far better than a cure. It is very fitting, therefore, that the efforts be recognized of medical researchers and practitioners throughout the country, other health professionals, and voluntary organizations working so hard toward achieving this goal of prevention. By joint resolution, the Congress authorized and requested that the President annually designate the month of January as March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month. Only through a joint effort by government and the public it serves can we continue to improve the health of our most precious resource. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate January 1975 as March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month. I invite the Governors of the States and appropriate local government officials to support March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month activities and I call upon the nation's mass communications media to join in encouraging all Americans to heed the message of March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month—prevention of birth defects before they occur. I urge everyone: government officials at all levels—national, state, and local—voluntary organizations, and private groups everywhere, to give special attention to these efforts for the continuing prevention of birth defects and to helping those who are afflicted. I urge that citizens of this country fight against birth defects and particularly emphasize to all mothers the importance of maintaining good health by seeking medical care during the childbearing years. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-ninth. GERALD R. FORD

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