[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 1996)]
[Pages 2031-2032]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6935--National Day of Concern About Young People and Gun 
Violence, 1996

October 10, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Few losses are more difficult to face than the death of a young 
person. Such deaths are even more appalling when they result from 
violence by another youth. It is a tragedy of modern American life that 
thousands of our young people each year suffer deadly violence initiated 
by their peers. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data show that in 
the decade between 1984 and 1993 the number of homicide arrests of 
juveniles skyrocketed by 168 percent. Even more disturbing, the fastest 
increase in violent crime arrests of juveniles occurred among children 
10 to 12 years old. Demographic experts predicted that, if those trends 
continued, juvenile violent crime arrests would double by the year 2010.
    Now, new FBI data show reason for cautious optimism. For the first 
time in 7 years, the juvenile crime arrest rate decreased--by 2.9 
percent in 1995. In addition, juvenile arrests for murder declined by 
15.2 percent in 1995--the largest 1-year decrease in more than 10 years. 
Since 1993, the arrest rate for murder among juveniles has decreased by 
22.8 percent.
    Although this trend is encouraging, far too many of our young people 
still are committing violent acts. Fueling this problem is the 
prevalence of, and easy access to, illegal firearms on our Nation's 
streets. Between 1985 and 1992, the number of juvenile homicides not 
involving guns increased by 20 percent, while the number involving guns 
jumped by 300 percent. Because guns are easily available, routine fights 
among young people often turn into gun battles. Then, as the tragic 
cycle of violence repeats itself, more and more young people, fearing 
for their safety, arm themselves. The resulting escalation of gun 
violence and death threatens the Na- 

[[Page 2032]]

tion's most precious resource for the future--our young people.
    We have expanded an experimental tracing program that targets those 
who provide or sell guns to young people. But we need to do more to keep 
guns out of the hands of our kids. We need to further improve and 
vigorously enforce our gun laws. And we need to reduce the sale and use 
of illegal drugs, which also fuel gun violence.
    We also need to begin teaching children as early as possible how to 
choose not to be violent. All of us can take an active role in making 
sure that conflict resolution and other anti-violence programs are in 
place in our local schools, community centers, and places of worship. 
Community leaders, businesses, and other local institutions must create 
``safe havens'' where children can go after school. Such actions can be 
a tangible sign of care and concern on the part of the community. Most 
importantly, parents need to teach their children right from wrong, so 
that they can learn the core values of our society and live according to 
them. In this undertaking, parents must be sensitive, patient, diligent, 
and fair, in order to provide a proper nonviolent model.
    While parents, teachers, clergy, and the community at large can 
provide encouragement, the ultimate responsibility for reducing youth 
violence lies with our young people themselves. They must commit to 
resolve disputes without violence and to avoid violent situations and 
friends. They must become positive role models for their peers, 
siblings, and younger children. Many young people have already made this 
commitment and are working in their schools and neighborhoods to end 
violence. For this, we salute them and urge them to continue to work for 
peaceful solutions. We call upon all young people to make this same 
commitment.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, 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 October 
10, 1996, as a National Day of Concern About Young People and Gun 
Violence. On this day I call upon young people in classrooms and 
playgrounds across the United States to make a solemn decision about 
their future. I call upon them voluntarily to sign a pledge promising 
that they will never take a gun to school, that they will never use a 
gun to settle a dispute, and that they will use their influence to 
prevent friends from using guns to settle disputes. Finally, I call upon 
all Americans to commit themselves anew to helping our Nation's young 
people avoid violence and grow up to be happy, healthy, and productive 
adults.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 11, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 15.