Proclamation 4414 January 22, 1976 American Heart Month, 1976 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Diseases of the heart and blood vessels remain our Nation's most urgent health problem. These disorders afflict an estimated 28.5 million Americans and cause more than a million deaths each year, about a quarter of which occur among persons under age 65. In the forefront of the continuing struggle against heart and blood vessel diseases are the National Heart and Lung Institute, a federal agency, and the American Heart Association, a privately-supported voluntary health organization. Their efforts and contributions in the areas of research, training of professionals, including the development of continuing education programs, and community service activities demonstrate what can be achieved when the private and public sectors unite for a common purpose. We have learned much about the factors that increase susceptibility to arteriosclerosis and its complications, and how to modify or eliminate some of them. We have learned much about the effectiveness of intensive coronary care units and the use of drugs in controlling high blood pressure. We have improved and developed appropriate surgical procedures and life-support techniques. We have learned more about the cardiovascular system and its diseases in the past 25 years than during all previous years of medical history. During this same quarter-century, the overall mortality rate from these diseases has declined by about 25 percent. In recognition of the seriousness of this menace to the Nation's health and wellbeing, and to encourage the consolidation and extension of our advances against cardiovascular disease, the Congress has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating February as American Heart Month. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of February 1976, as American Heart Month. I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people, to join with me in reaffirming our commitment to the resolution of the nationwide problem of cardiovascular disease. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundredth. GERALD R. FORD Proclamation 4415 February 17, 1976 Designating the Clark and Mark Twain National Forests as the Mark Twain National Forest By the President of the United States of America The Mark Twain National Forest and the Clark National Forest were established within the State of Missouri. Part of the Clark National Forest was later transferred to the Mark Twain National Forest; at the same time, part of the Mark Twain National Forest was transferred to the Clark National Forest. Subsequently, both national forests have been successfully administered as if they were a single national forest. This experience indicates that it is now in the public interest to consolidate these two national forests. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 24 of the Act of March 3, 1891, 26 Stat. 1103, as amended (16 U.S.C. 471), the Act of June 4, 1897, 30 Stat. 34, 36 (16 U.S.C. 473), and by Section 11 of the Act of March 1, 1911, 36 Stat. 963 (16 U.S.C. 521), do hereby proclaim that the Clark National Forest in the State of Missouri (Proclamation No. 2363 of September 11, 1939, as amended), and the Mark Twain National Forest in the State of Missouri (Proclamation No. 2362 of September 11, 1939, as amended), are hereby designated and hereafter shall be known as the Mark Twain National Forest. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundredth. The life of a child is precious. The loss of even one child is tragic. Yet each year accidental poisonings cause too many of our Nation's children to suffer illness and injury from which they may never recover. As every parent knows, children are by nature inquisitive. They are explorers and experimenters. It is our responsibility not only to teach them the dangers that poisonous substances present, but to provide them with a safe environment. Special packaging required under the provisions of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 plays a major role in achieving this aim. Data recently released by the National Center for Health Statistics indicate that in the year since aspirin products were first required to be kept in safety packaging, the number of deaths among children under five from aspirin poisoning declined 48 percent. While these developments are encouraging, they provide no excuse for a relaxation of concern or vigilance. During 1974, over 200,000 accidental ingestions of household substances were reported by poison control centers through out the country. Approximately 130,000 involved children under five years of age. But these reports may represent only a fraction of the actual number of toxic episodes. Medical authorities estimate that each year 600,000 to one million children accidentally swallow substances which may be harmful or even deadly. Recognizing the need to encourage all Americans to take preventive measures to eliminate accidental poisonings and their tragic toll, the Congress, by joint resolution of September 26, 1961 (36 U.S.C. 165), has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the third week in March as National Poison Prevention Week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning March 21, 1976, as National Poison Prevention Week. I urge all Americans to provide safety for our Nation's youngsters by storing, using, and handling household substances with care. I invite all organizations concerned with preventing accidental poisoning among children to join in activities that will assist in protecting all our children from these dangers. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundredth. In this Bicentennial Year, we are commemorating the anniversary dates of many of the great events in American history. An honest reckoning, however, must include a recognition of our national mistakes as well as our national achievements. Learning from our mistakes is not pleasant, but as a great philosopher once admonished, we must do so if we want to avoid repeating them. February 19th is the anniversary of a sad day in American history. It was on that date in 1942, in the midst of the response to the hostilities that began on December 7, 1941, that Executive Order No. 9066 was issued, subsequently enforced by the criminal penalties of a statute enacted March 21, 1942, resulting in the uprooting of loyal Americans. Over one hundred thousand persons of Japanese ancestry were removed from their homes, detained in special camps, and eventually relocated. The tremendous effort by the War Relocation Authority and concerned Americans for the welfare of these Japanese-Americans may add perspective to that story, but it does not erase the setback to fundamental American principles. Fortunately, the Japanese-American community in Hawaii was spared the indignities suffered by those on our mainland. We now know what we should have known then-not only was that evacuation wrong, but Japanese-Americans were and are loyal Americans. On the battlefield and at home, Japanese-Americans-names like Hamada, Mitsumori, Marimoto, Noguchi, Yamasaki, Kido, Munemori and Miyamura-have been and continue to be written in our history for the sacrifices and the contributions they have made to the well-being and security of this, our common Nation. The Executive order that was issued on February 19, 1942, was for the sole purpose of prosecuting the war with the Axis Powers, and ceased to be effective with the end of those hostilities. Because there was no formal statement of its termination, however, there is concern among many Japanese-Americans that there may yet be some life in that obsolete document. I think it appropriate, in this our Bicentennial Year, to remove all doubt on that matter, and to make clear our commitment in the future. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim that all the authority conferred by Executive Order No. 9066 terminated upon the issuance of Proclamation No. 2714, which formally proclaimed the cessation of the hostilities of World War II on December 31, 1946. I call upon the American people to affirm with me this American Promise-that we have learned from the tragedy of that long-ago experience forever to treasure liberty and justice for each individual American, and resolve that this kind of action shall never again be repeated. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundredth. For nearly half of our Nation's two hundred years, the American Red Cross has reflected the concerns of the American people by dedicating itself to the ease and prevention of human suffering. In war and in peace, this Good Neighbor has ministered to the anguish of those who are tragically affected by circumstances beyond their control. It has undertaken to prevent distress and has striven to preserve health and safety. The Red Cross always has been a dependable source of assistance to the Federal Government and other organizations and agencies seeking ways to serve our people. In this, our Bicentennial Year, we salute the American Red Cross for its history of compassionate concern and its continuing pioneer spirit that brings vigor to the unending quest for better ways in which to meet human needs. In 1976, the American Red Cross is at the forefront of voluntary citizen action. The services of over one million volunteers have made possible the changes, innovations and adaptations necessary to improve its effectiveness. While many traditional facets of its assistance continue to fulfill a basic requirement, the Red Cross has broadened its efforts beyond direct service to ease suffering. Today, it actively seeks to help eradicate causes of recurrent, but preventable, health, safety and disaster problems. March is traditionally Red Cross Month. In that time period, more than 1,600 Red Cross chapters will campaign for funds. Other chapters, in partnership with United Way, will be seeking volunteers for their various programs and services. I know that all Americans will show the Red Cross that they too are Good Neighbors. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, and Honorary Chairman of the American National Red Cross, do hereby designate March, 1976, as Red Cross Month. I urge all Americans to give their generous support to the work of their local Red Cross chapters. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of February in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundredth. Try to imagine a world without sunsets, without the smiles of friends, without the comfort of books, or without any of the simple sights we take for granted but which make our lives so much richer. Such a world will become a reality for the fifty thousand Americans who will become blind this year alone. Over a million other Americans will also suffer some form of visual impairment. Yet all too often it is only when these problems occur that we realize how important vision is to almost every aspect of our daily existence. Americans have access to the most advanced facilities for the care of vision available in the world. This has been made possible through sustained research by dedicated professionals, supported in large measure by private organizations as well as the Federal Government, through the National Eye Institute. Nevertheless, whether |