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7337976
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Save Your Vision Week, 1975 [Proclamation]
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id
7337976
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contentType
document
title
Save Your Vision Week, 1975 [Proclamation]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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7337976
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6
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1975-02-06
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2
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1975
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262ae8515345f0dc
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Digitized from Box 7 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 6, 1975
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
SAVE YOUR VISION WEEK, 1975
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
One of every twenty people in the United States suffers
some degree of visual disability. Yet, many eye injuries and
disorders could be prevented if Americans took greater care
to preserve their vision. Simple measures, such as wearing
protective goggles when engaged in hazardous activity, will
help avoid eye injuries and save sight. Many disorders that
impair vision or cause blindness can be arrested before the
eyes become seriously damaged, if they are detected and treated
early in their development. Even blindness can sometimes be
cured. For example, 95 percent of the 5,000 Americans blinded
or visually disabled by cataract, for whom surgery is recom-
mended, could have their vision restored.
Researchers in the visual science are continually striv-
ing to reduce the toll of visual disability. Advances made in
vision research, many of which have been supported by the
Federal Government through the National Eye Institute, and by
several philanthropic organizations, can benefit many Americans
if only we avail ourselves of them. The simplest way is by
making eye examinations a routine part of health care through
the professional guidance of ophthalmologists, optometrists,
and opticians. All of us should know where to go in our com-
munities for assistance in visual problems. We must be aware
of preventive measures that can be taken at home, school, work,
and play to protect our vision. We must learn the warning
signals of serious eye problems so we know when to seek
professional attention.
To encourage all of us to protect our vision and to
care properly for our eyes, Congress, by joint resolution,
approved December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 169a),
has requested the President to proclaim the first week in
March of each year as Save Your Vision Week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the
United States of America, do hereby designate the week of
March 2 through March 8, 1975, as Save Your Vision Week.
I urge all Americans to join in this observance by taking
steps to assure eye safety and by making themselves aware
of the vision care facilities available in their communities.
I invite the appropriate officials of State and local govern-
ments to issue similar Proclamations.
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I also invite the communications media, the health care
professions, and all other agencies and individuals concerned
with the improvement and preservation of vision, to join in
public activities supporting programs to improve and protect
the vision of Americans.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
SIXTH
day of FEBRUARY in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred seventy-five, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the one hundred ninety-ninth.
GERALD R. FORD
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