1982 Oct. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1994

In Witness Whereof, I have here unto The sons and daughters of set my hand this seventh day of , in who immigrated to this country in past cen- the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and turies brought with them that abiding passion ninety-four, and of the Independence of the for justice and equality, and their determina- of America the two hundred tion to build a better life for themselves and and nineteenth. their children has enriched our Nation im- William J. Clinton measurably. For the tremendous contribu- tions they have made to our society, and for [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, the many wonderful traditions that their de- 4:38 p.m., October 11, 1994] scendants continue to uphold, Americans across the country join in recognizing this NOTE: This proclamation was published in the special day every year. Federal Register on October 13. This item was not received in time for publication in the appro- In honor of —son of , priate issue. grandson of —and of the vibrant Nordic American culture that continues to grace our Nation, the Congress, by joint reso- Proclamation 6735—Leif Erikson lution approved on September 2, 1964 (Pub- Day, 1994 lic Law 88–566), has authorized and re- October 7, 1994 quested the President to designate October 9 of each year as ‘‘Leif Erikson Day.’’ By the President of the United States Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, of America President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 1994, as Leif A Proclamation Erikson Day. I encourage all Americans to Nearly a millennium has passed since Leif observe this occasion by learning more about Erikson set out on his voyage to explore our rich Nordic-American heritage. , a land then thought to be In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set no more than an uncharted wilderness across my hand this seventh day of October, in the the waters. Filled with the same spirit of dis- year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- covery that characterized the travels of his ty-four, and of the Independence of the father, Eric the Red, who sailed from Nor- United States of America the two hundred way to Iceland to , the journey of and nineteenth. Leif Erikson remains one of history’s greatest William J. Clinton legends. To commemorate the life of this bold adventurer and to recognize the genera- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, tions of Nordic Americans who have followed 4:39 p.m., October 11, 1994] in his footsteps, we celebrate Leif Erikson Day, 1994. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 13. This item was Leaving behind the ice-covered mountains not received in time for publication in the appro- of Greenland, Erikson helped to set the stage priate issue. for centuries of trans-Atlantic exchange be- tween his father’s native Norway and the people of the New World. Today, the United Proclamation 6736—Fire States and the of , Prevention Week, 1994 Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, October 7, 1994 enjoy cordial friendships and are productive partners in fostering democracy and expand- By the President of the United States ing trade. Carrying forward the ideals of their of America ancestors—ideals of liberty, human dignity, and self-determination—these nations stand A Proclamation with the United States in representing the The United States has made tremendous freedom to which individuals around the advances through the years in reducing the world aspire. terrible toll that fire takes on our citizens.

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In 1925, when President As we all think about the lifesaving mes- proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention sage of Fire Prevention Week, let us also Week, he noted that nearly 15,000 lives were consider the dedication of the brave men and lost each year to fire in our country. Fortu- women of our Nation’s fire service who risk nately, the numbers we report today are con- their lives regularly to protect us. Last year, siderably lower. Despite this important 78 firefighters died in the line of duty, with trend, the vast majority of fire fatalities—al- an estimated 101,500 injuries. These coura- most 80 percent—still occur in our homes, geous individuals will be honored on Sunday, in the places where we should feel safest. October 16, 1994, during the Thirteenth An- nual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Em- A key line of defense against home fires mitsburg, Maryland. is the protection provided by smoke detec- tors. But smoke detectors must be operating Also deserving recognition are those who properly to furnish the early warning nec- work within public and private organizations essary to allow safe escape from a fire. Even to reduce the toll exacted by fire. Further, though 90 percent of our Nation’s homes we must recognize the efforts of public offi- have at least one smoke detector installed, cials, educators, business leaders, and com- about one-third of all homes in which fires munity and volunteer organizations that are occurred had smoke detectors that were not working together to create a safer America. functioning correctly, usually because of faulty or missing batteries. To emphasize the Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, importance of keeping our smoke detectors President of the United States of America, in good working order, the United States by virtue of the authority vested in me by Fire Administration and the National Fire the Constitution and laws of the United Protection Association are working with our States, do hereby proclaim the week begin- Nation’s fire service and other emergency ning October 9, 1994, as Fire Prevention management professionals to communicate Week. I call upon the people of the United effectively this year’s Fire Prevention Week States to plan and participate in fire preven- theme, ‘‘Test Your Detector for Life.’’ tion activities, both this week and throughout the year. I also ask all Americans to pay trib- Early warning of fire and smoke is critical ute to those firefighters who have lost their because the majority of deaths as a result of lives in the line of duty and to those men home fires occur at night when people are and women who continue in the noble tradi- most vulnerable. Smoke usually does not tion of service to their communities. awaken us—instead it induces a deeper sleep.We need smoke detectors to alert us In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set to the danger. During Fire Prevention Week, my hand this seventh day of October, in the 1994, and throughout the entire year, it is year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- important to remember four key points about ty-four, and of the Independence of the home smoke detectors. First, make sure you United States of America the two hundred have enough detectors. One detector should and nineteenth. be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. As an added William J. Clinton measure of protection, consider installing a smoke detector inside each bedroom. Sec- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ond, test smoke detectors every month. 5:05 p.m., October 11, 1994] Third, replace the batteries at least once a year. Fourth, replace your smoke detectors NOTE: This proclamation was published in the with new units if they are more than 10 years Federal Register on October 13. This item was old. These four simple points could save lives not received in time for publication in the appro- and avoid serious injuries should a fire occur. priate issue.

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Proclamation 6737—, United States to observe this day with appro- 1994 priate ceremonies and activities. I also direct October 7, 1994 that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day By the President of the United States in honor of Christopher Columbus. of America In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of October, in the A Proclamation year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- At a time when experienced sailors navi- ty-four, and of the Independence of the gated only within sight of shore whenever United States of America the two hundred possible, Christopher Columbus conceived and nineteenth. of a route no other had and sailed boldly into William J. Clinton the open seas. Columbus’ example reminds us that we must be willing, even eager, to [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, leave the comfortable but often limiting 5:08 p.m., October 11, 1994] shores of yesterday and journey toward the NOTE: This proclamation was published in the difficult and unmet challenges of tomorrow. Federal Register on October 13. This item was Exploring the frontiers of the new world, not received in time for publication in the appro- Columbus set the stage for the encounter be- priate issue. tween Europeans and Native Americans, an encounter whose impact continues to be felt today. It is particularly important to recog- The President’s Radio Address With nize anew the sacrifices and hardships suf- President Nelson Mandela of South fered by both sides as a result of this meeting Africa and to salute the rich cultural heritage each October 8, 1994 group has bestowed upon its descendants. Through time and tears, exchanges between President Clinton. Good morning. This these two cultures have led to greater under- week I’m honored to be joined by President standing and rich opportunities for harmony Nelson Mandela of South Africa, a man who and healing. has been a hero for people in every corner This year, as we celebrate the founding of of the world. For a long time, the name ‘‘Nel- a new world that is finally learning the infi- son Mandela’’ has stood for the quest for nite value of diversity, we continue to take freedom. His spirit never bent before the in- an important lesson from Columbus’ travels. justice of his 27 years of imprisonment. In his great spirit of adventure and discovery, Apartheid could not silence him. And when I encourage all Americans today to let the he was freed, Americans all across this coun- quartering winds of change propel us into try who had fought for justice in South Africa the 21st century. Facing the future with rejoiced. courage and openness, as Columbus did in After his long struggle, Nelson Mandela his day, we must strive to meet the challenges found in himself the strength to reach out of the future with logic and foresight and to others, to build up instead of tear down. with the certainty of moving ever forward. He led his country forward, always choosing In tribute to the many achievements of reconciliation over division. This is the mir- Christopher Columbus, the Congress of the acle of the new South Africa. Time and again, United States, by joint resolution of April 30, President Mandela showed real wisdom and 1934 (48 Stat. 657), and an Act of June 28, rose above bitterness. President Mandela and 1968 (82 Stat. 250), has requested the Presi- the South African people, both black and dent to proclaim the second Monday in Octo- white, have inspired others around the world. ber of each year as ‘‘Columbus Day.’’ In our own hemisphere today, the people Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, of Haiti are emerging out of fear into free- President of the United States of America, dom. Now Haitians have the chance to do do hereby proclaim October 10, 1994, as Co- what South Africans have done, to bring to- lumbus Day. I call upon the people of the gether a country where there have been deep

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