Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 97.djvu/1592

 97 STAT. 1560 PROCLAMATION 5033—MAR. 21, 1983 NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, May 1, 1983, as Loyalty Day and call upon all Americans and patriotic, civic, and educational organizations to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies. I call upon all government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings and grounds on that day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventh. RONALD REAGAN Proclamation 5033 of March 21, 1983 National Eye Donor Month, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation One of the most magnificent presents that one human being can bestow upon another is the gift of sight. Incredible as it may seem, it is within the power of each of us to give this precious gift simply by making arrange- ments to donate our eyes after death. Thanks to advances in eye research, donor eyes can be stored and the pre- served corneal tissues transplanted into the eyes of people who would oth- erwise be unable to see the beautiful and exciting world in which we live. Each year some 30,000 people lose vision because their corneas have been damaged by injury, disease, or an inherited condition. Where the cornea has become so clouded that vision is lost, sight usually can be restored through a replacement cornea provided by a cornea donor. Tragically, some visually impaired people who could benefit from this oper- ation cannot be helped because suitable corneal tissue is not always avail- able when needed. Donor eyes are also needed for vision research so that we may learn more about how this organ functions and develop ways to prevent and treat the many disorders which threaten sight. It is appropriate that we as a Nation encourage eye donations and increase public awareness of the need for such donations. By filling out a uniform donor card and carrying it, we may give the gift of sight to people who now suffer from corneal blindness and benefit others from eye research. Ante, p. 10. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 15, has designated March 1983 as "National Eye Donor Month" and has authorized and requested the Presi- dent to issue a proclamation in observance of that month. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of March 1983 as "National Eye Donor Month." I urge all citizens, health care professionals, educators, the media, and public and private organizations concerned with vision and vision research to join me in supporting this humanitarian action. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of

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