Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 97.djvu/1616

 97 STAT. 1584 PROCLAMATION 5059—MAY 10, 1983 We recognize that no single group in our society has done more to build America and to shape our national character than our nearly thirty-three million older citizens. We treasure their continuing involvement and the unique understanding they bring to us. Their wisdom, experience, insights, and accomplishments merit an invaluable place in our culture and econo- my. Through hard work and creativity, our older Americans have made enor- mous contributions throughout their lives to preserve our way of life and our standard of living. Now we must keep faith with them. It is our responsibility to protect them by reducing inflation—that monster which eats at savings and pensions and destroys the independence and well-being of our older Americans. Of particular importance to our older citizens is the integrity of their pen- sion funds. The recent rise in business confidence and the resulting surge in the net worth of investments have significantly increased the value of America's pension funds. These developments remind us that the most im- portant step we can take for all Americans, but especially our senior citi- zens, is to follow economic policies that will create noninflationary growth. It is also our responsibility to keep faith with our older citizens by guaran- teeing a secure and stable social security system so they might live in digni- 42 USC 1305. ty. The recent amendments to the Social Security Act assure the elderly that America will always uphold the promises made in troubled times a half-century ago. The future of our older Americans should be as sweet as the memories of their youth. I believe the future for our older citizens holds as much promise as the achievements of their past. In this twenty-first annual observance of Older Americans Month, we celebrate that potential. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of May 1983 as Older Americans Month. I ask public officials at all levels, community agencies, educators, the clergy, the communications media, and the American people to take this opportunity to honor older Americans and to consider how we may make it possible for them to enjoy their later years. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of May, 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 sev- enth. RONALD REAGAN Proclamation 5059 of May 10, 1983 Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Two hundred eight years ago, the first distinctive American flags were flown over the colonial defenses during the Battle of Bunker Hill. One flag

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