Proclamation 3494—National Safety Council Fiftieth Anniversary Year

Whereas October 1962 _marks the beginning of the fiftieth anniversary observance of the founding of the National Safety Council; and

Whereas the Council has striven faithfully during this half century to develop and implement sound, effective programs directed toward the prevention of accidents of all kinds; and

Whereas there has been a notable and steady decline in the rates of accidental death and injury as a result of such national programs of the organized safety movement; and

Whereas this decline in accident rates demonstrates the value of nationwide safety activities as carried on under the leadership of the National Safety Council; and

Whereas the Council, as a guardian of the public interest, has proved its dedication to the safety and welfare of the Nation's citizens, as set forth in its Federal charter; and

Whereas the Congress, by Senate Joint resolution 222, approved September 24, 1962, requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the period October 1962 through October 1963 as National Safety Council Fiftieth Anniversary Year;

Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the period October 1962 through October 1963 as National Safety Council Fiftieth Anniversary Year, in recognition of the role of the National Safety Council in our way of life; and I urge the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and mayors of cities to issue similar proclamations.

I also ask the appropriate officials of the Federal, State, and local governments, as well as public and private organizations and the general public, to join in observance of this significant occasion, and to increase their efforts to reduce the number of accidents in homes, in industry, in public places, and on our streets and highways.

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 twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-seventh.

JOHN F. KENNEDY

By the President:

DEAN RUSK,

Secretary of State