Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 92 Part 3.djvu/1277

 PROCLAMATION 4546—JAN. 19, 1978

92 STAT. 3909

shall be extended and the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels of the Federal government in the District of Columbia, and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until, and including January 19, 1978, the day the 95th Congress of the United States reconvenes. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. May this period, as Senator Humphrey wished, "be a time to celebrate life and the future" even though we cannot escape the pain and sorrow of his leaving. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and second. JIMMY CARTER

Proclamation 4546

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January 19, 1978

American Heart Month, 1978

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation Diseases of the heart and blood vessels afllict some thirty million Americans. Each year cardiovascular disorders claim nearly one million lives and cost our economy nearly forty-eight billion dollars in lost wages, lost productivity, and medical expenses. Since 1948, a concerted national effort has been under way to reduce illness, disability, and death from heart and blood vessel disease.; through nationwide programs of biomedical research in the cardiovascular field, training of research workers and Clinicians, information and education programs for health professionals and for the general public, and community service activities concerned with prevention, detection, and control of cardiovascular disorders. These efforts have been spearheaded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a federal agency, and the American Heart Association, a voluntary health organization supported through private contributions. Since 1948, their combined outlay in support of the national battle against cardiovascular diseases has totaled nearly three billion dollars. During these thirty years, an immense amount of new knowledge about the cardiovascular system and its diseases has been amassed and much of it has found application in better methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition, many Americans have modified their diets, established sensible and regular exercise programs, changed their smoking habits, or have otherwise altered their lifestyles to achieve better cardiovascular health. As a result, mortality rates have declined steadily since 1950 in nearly all major cardiovascular disease categories and the total number of deaths among Americans from these diseases is the lowest it has been since 1965. But these encouraging results are no excuse for complacency. On the contrary, they show that it is only through sustained dedication and cooperation among public officials, community leaders, private institutions, and the Americans people that we have any chance of controlling this threat to the health of our Nation.

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