123STA T . 3 6 1 8PROCL A M AT I O N 83 5 2 — MAR. 13 , 2 0 0 9earth.S hea lsop ropose d that Am er ic ai nv est in alternative ener gy so u rces such as hydroelectricity , solar po w er, and wind power. T hese women helped protect our environment and our people while challenging the status q uo and b rea k ing social barriers. Their achieve - ments inspired generations o f American women and men not only to save our planet, but also to overcome obstacles and pursue their inter- ests and talents. They j oin a long and proud history of American women leaders, and this month we honor the contributions of all women to our N ation. N OW ,T HER E F ORE, I , B ARA CK OBA M A, P resident of the U nited States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 20 0 9 as Women ’ s History Month. I call upon all our citi z ens to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the history, accomplishments, and contributions of American women. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of March, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8352 o fM arc h1 3 , 2 0 0 9Nation a lP oi s onP rev ention W ee k,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Since 1 9 6 2, National Poison Prevention Week has helped raise aware- ness about the dangers of potentially poisonous substances and has provided the opportunity to educate fellow Americans about pre- venting and responding to poisonings. This education effort is critical to the well-being of children and adults alike, as both remain suscep- tible to poison e x posure. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers ( AAPCC ) , more than two million potential poison exposures are re- ported to the Nation’s 61 poison control centers every year. More than half of those exposures involve children aged five and under. The AAPCC also reports that more than one thousand deaths due to poi- soning take place in the United States every year. Poisoning most frequently involves medicines and typical household chemicals, including cleaning supplies and personal care products. When improperly stored, these substances can present threats to the health and well-being of people subject to exposure. Taking simple steps can protect family and friends from harm. For example, keeping poisonous materials in their original containers, placing these materials out of children’s reach, following handling instructions and rec- ommended dosages, and installing carbon monoxide detectors can all help save lives. More information can be found at www.aapcc.org. In the event of a potential poisoning, experts at local poison control cen-
