Proclamation 2985—National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week, 1952

Whereas the productive capacity of physically-handicapped workers, when they are employed in positions suited o their physical abilities and skills, has been demonstrated beyond question; and

Whereas there is a need for greater understanding of the employment capabilities of the physically handicapped and of proved methods of matching their abilities with job requirements; and

Whereas there is also a need for greater public participation in educational and promotional activities that have as their objective the suitable employment of physically-handicapped workers who have been adequately prepared and are willing and able to work; and

Whereas the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on August 11, 1945 (59 Stat. 530), has designated the first week in October of each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week, and has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling public attention to the need for Nation-wide support of and interest in the employment of otherwise qualified but physically-handicapped men and women:

Now, Therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the people of our nation to observe the week beginning October 5, 1952, as national Employ the Physically Handicapped Week, and to cooperate with the President's Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped in carrying out the purposes of the aforementioned joint resolution of Congress.

I also request the Governors of States, the mayors of municipalities, other public officials, leaders of industry and labor, and members of religious, civic, veterans', agricultural, women's, handicapped-persons', and fraternal organizations, as well as other groups representative of our national life, to take part in the observance of the designated week, in order to enlist the widest possible public support of programs designed to increase opportunities in employment for the physically handicapped.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this 15th day of August in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-seventh.

HARRY S. TRUMAN

By the President:

DAVID BRUCE,

Acting Secretary of State.