[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8355--APR. 1, 2009

Proclamation 8355 of April 1, 2009
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

When the child next door is maltreated, we all suffer. Every American
has a stake in the well-being of our Nation's children. They are members
of our communities, and they are our future. National Child Abuse
Prevention Month provides the opportunity to underscore our commitment
to preventing and responding appropriately to child abuse. This month,
we emphasize the importance of understanding child abuse and the need
for all Americans to help families overcome this devastating problem.
The tragedy of child abuse may afflict American children in different
ways. Abuse may occur physically, sexually, and emotionally. Child
neglect, another form of child maltreatment, may occur physically and
emotionally. Understanding the forms of child abuse is critical to
preventing and responding to maltreatment.

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123 STAT. 3622

A well-informed and strong family is the surest defense against child
abuse. To help educate and strengthen families, community members can
offer their time and counsel to parents and children who may need
assistance. For example, parent support groups provide an organized
forum for assistance. More informally, community members may simply
offer a helping hand to families under stress. More information about
what families and communities can do is available at
www.childwelfare.gov/preventing.
Civic organizations and government also have an important role to play.
Civic groups offer essential support through education, assistance to
those at risk, and treatment for victims. Government at the local,
State, and Federal level must provide funding for services, conduct
public education projects, and enforce child abuse laws.
As we recognize that we all suffer when our children are abused, that we
all benefit from mutual concern and care, and that we all have a
responsibility to help, more American children will grow up healthy,
happy, and with unlimited potential for success.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2009, as National
Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens to help prevent
and respond to child abuse by strengthening families and contributing to
all children's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April,
in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA